Hey all,
So Thanksgiving sucked. It was just a normal day of work. Its not a Holiday here. I didnt even know it was Thanksgiving until my comp said something. Ha. He was like, hey its that one holiday where you guys eat a lot in your country today huh?
Anyways, with changes, I had a very big change. I left Reducto and am now in an area called Puente Kyjha with Elder Calderon from Ecuador. It is very far from my old area. We are about 35 minutes away from Brazil sooo, naturally almost everybody here speaks Portuguese, which means, I have to learn Portuguese. Or at least learn how to understand it. It is pretty frustrating because I just barely learned how to understand Spanish. Haha. Oh well. It will be cool to broaden the number of languages I know.
The area is absolutely gorgeous. I have never seen anything like it in my life. Only in movies. It is just intensely vast and green. It is a literal jungle in places and other places there are literally endless rolling hills that go on further than you can see. It's sort of overwhelming to be honest. I just stop working sometimes and just stare off into the distance becuase it looks so awesome. I try and take pictures but it doesnt even sort of do it justice. It has rained here everyday since I have gotten here so maybe that is the reason for the intense greenness. Its pretty cool.
The area consists of two cities: Puente Kyjha and Katuete. They are about a ten minute drive apart from each other so every other day we either have to pay 30 MIL which is really expensive, or we hitch hike. So, we hitch hike every other day. Let me just tell ya that you can meet some extremely interesting people. Not everybody stops for you, only the crazies. I dunno why. I tink my favorite ride so far has been the car full of extremely drunk teenagers.. Haha we just laughed because it was so dangerous and scary.
It is a pretty different world all the way out here. The church is tiny here and there are only about 20 faithful church goers. Super different. But the work is the same and my new comp is a stud that likes to work. He is a very chill kid too. We get along very well. I havent laughed this hard in quite some time. I forgot that you can actually laugh on your mission. Sorta makes things more fun and enjoyable.
Thanks for all the emails you guys. I will be emailing a bit earlier from now on so if you want to be sure to get an email back from me make sure you send it off pretty early if not the night before. Remember I am 3 hours ahead of you guys.
Alright, well that is it for this week. Lots of changes but I am pretty excited about them. I will keep you updated with anything that happens. Oh, there are Doritos here too.
Okay, love you all and miss you. Talk to you soon.
Elder Lisonbee
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Monday, November 30, 2009
Moro Moro Ostan Poro...Update from Elder Thatcher:
Hello perheni!
Yes everything is well here and yes Mom we wear helmets but my compi's bike broke last week and he is deciding on whether to repair it or buy a new bike because the repairs are really expensive so we have been walking quite a bit. I finally bought a new bike seat so I won't be in a ton of pain next time I ride the bike. Well it has been abnormally warm here the past few days and it was probably the coldest day in a while this morning atleast it was -4C so not too cold but chilly. That is so cool your trip sounds so fun and WARM!!!!!!!!! We were in Oulu last week for a District Meeting and we saw the sun for a good 2 minutes! It was great and actually today it isn't too cloudy we might see some sun! Well to your questions. Yes it was incredibly hard to leave Haaga, it is my greenie city and I was there for 4 changes. It was hard but I didn't have a chance to say goodbye in church because the last Sunday was Helsinki Stake Conference. So I didn't have that opportunity. But I did say good bye to Veli Jokinen our Assistant BML and he is just an amazing man and we gave each other a hug and it was a speacial moment and so that was cool and a couple of the members gave me some gifts and some of our our investigator's gave me their email addresses to email them so that was pretty cool. So ya I was sad but it is kind of a dream of every missionary in the mission to serve in Roi so I was pretty excited! But any news on James? I am guessing he will get his call this coming week I hope!!! IT WILL BE SO COOL!!!!!!! haha well we will see right! OK so ya we are really being blessed here in Roi and we are getting the members behind us and we are working really hard and I can see some great things happening here in the near future so we are all really EXCITED!!!!!!!!!!!!!! haha well ok one thing can I get the home addresses for Court, Jinii, and Britt. That would be great if I can get those ASAP. Kiitos and I will or have sent a set of Christmas packages so enjoy! and open them by the instructions on the box :) ok and then yes you actually are going to call me if that is ok... and I have the number that I will give you next week and we will plan a time for you to call and it will all be great! So I am all out of time but I LOVE YOU!!!!
Rakkaudella Vanhin Thatcher
Thanksgiving Update from Elder Campbell:
11/27/09
Hola!
I hope everyone´s Thanksgiving was good. We ate with a family from Costa Rica and they made us this amazing chicken with cheese and eggs in salsa verde and beans and rice and salad. Not the typical Thanksgiving dinner but it was tasty nonetheless. Then at night the Harts brought us back leftovers from their dinner that they had with the other senior couples in the mission so we got some yams and turkey and rolls and all that good stuff.
Let´s see what else happened this week? In the mail we usually get little package slips that tell us to come to the post office to pick up a package. Well we had some so we went a couple of days ago and found 19 packages waiting for us! It´s a good thing we had the van because we wouldn´t have been able to get them all home. I guess the Christmas packages have started coming already! Oh just as a reminder if you do send me something don´t put anything valuable or irreplaceable in the package because around Christmas with the big rush they have a reputation of getting lost easier…
Tomorrow we find out changes. Elder Vary is pretty anxious to get out of the office after being here for 6 months. Hopefully Elder Childers and I will be able to find our way on pouch without him and not get too horribly lost.
Ok I think that´s all I was going to tell you. Thanks again for the emails from those of you who took the time to write me a little something to let me know how you´re doing. Love you all!
Til next week,Elder Campbell
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
November Snowflakes! An Update from Elder Ford:
Hey Momma,
Transfers are coming up once again next week which may disrupt things but I'm fairly certain I should be staying put. Elder Munk and I are getting along real well and the work is just flying by. Christmas will be loads of fun here. There are members that already have us signed up to be at their homes for lunch and dinner, I can't wait. We've only had one snow storm here that lasted about two seconds and then was blown away. Apparently this time last year we had a foot of snow and it was -7 so sweating a little in the suit coats isn't bad at all.
Sunday night we had an entertaining dinner appointment. Things had somewhat gone array at this members home with her family all being gone and out of the house. We aren't then able to have dinner if we are alone with a single sister but by some divine turn a car filled with three teenage boys (members) appeared on the scene and were promptly invited in for dinner. They were only planning to pick up something that had been previously left behind but were more than happy to stay. Our dinner table barely fit the five of us. As we managed to squeeze around together the original discomfort was quickly melted away with bouts of laughter. Elder Munk especially was laughing the entire time. Apparently the boys reminded him of friends back home and even himself at a time. By the end they admitted that we were, "pretty cool" and would attend our sports nights they had been avoiding. It'll be interesting to see how our hockey skills compare.
Things are patiently moving forward. Next transfer here will be a buzz of activity here in Newmarket. A long time investigator who had been coming out for nearly nine months finally agreed to be baptized at the end of this month. Fransisco is a spanish speaking so native speakers in the ward have been taking care of him. Usually I just say, "Hello" as I see him arrive at church. With him being baptized hopefully it'll spark all the others into wanting the same. All in time for Christmas too, I'm excited.
Loves,
Elder Ford
Transfers are coming up once again next week which may disrupt things but I'm fairly certain I should be staying put. Elder Munk and I are getting along real well and the work is just flying by. Christmas will be loads of fun here. There are members that already have us signed up to be at their homes for lunch and dinner, I can't wait. We've only had one snow storm here that lasted about two seconds and then was blown away. Apparently this time last year we had a foot of snow and it was -7 so sweating a little in the suit coats isn't bad at all.
Sunday night we had an entertaining dinner appointment. Things had somewhat gone array at this members home with her family all being gone and out of the house. We aren't then able to have dinner if we are alone with a single sister but by some divine turn a car filled with three teenage boys (members) appeared on the scene and were promptly invited in for dinner. They were only planning to pick up something that had been previously left behind but were more than happy to stay. Our dinner table barely fit the five of us. As we managed to squeeze around together the original discomfort was quickly melted away with bouts of laughter. Elder Munk especially was laughing the entire time. Apparently the boys reminded him of friends back home and even himself at a time. By the end they admitted that we were, "pretty cool" and would attend our sports nights they had been avoiding. It'll be interesting to see how our hockey skills compare.
Things are patiently moving forward. Next transfer here will be a buzz of activity here in Newmarket. A long time investigator who had been coming out for nearly nine months finally agreed to be baptized at the end of this month. Fransisco is a spanish speaking so native speakers in the ward have been taking care of him. Usually I just say, "Hello" as I see him arrive at church. With him being baptized hopefully it'll spark all the others into wanting the same. All in time for Christmas too, I'm excited.
Loves,
Elder Ford
Rovaniemi, Rovaniemi! Elder Thatcher Update:
Wow ok well yes I am still alive I haven't really crashed yet thankfully haha but it is pretty hard riding in slush! That is the worst! We do have studed tires and they are worth their weight in GOLD! so riding on snow and ice isn't too bad still sketchy sometimes but overall doable but the slush is the WORST! Ok so some cool facts about Roi (Rovaniemi) it is the 3rd norhtern most Branch in the World! Santa lives here! and we are planning to visit him soon and on the 23rd or 24th they have this party for when he begins his journey around the world so of course we will go to that! Umm I went from one of the biggest wards in Finland to one of the smallest Branches! But this branch is so awesome! They are the best here and our BML is rad and our branch President is so cool and so funny he only speaks Finnglish with us! haha so funny great guy! Ok onto the questions.
1. No I have not seen Santa yet but soon.
2. They say that you can see the Northern Lights up here but they usually go off at 2 am so I am going to tell the ward members if they ever see them to call!! But it is very foggy and overcast pretty much the whole time!
3.about -3 C is average. so not to cold yet, and the sun usually rises about 10 or 11 and sets about 2 or 3 but its always overcast so I haven't seen the sun since Helsinki! It's not to bad though just makes days go really slow and we are tired a lot and WE EAT A LOT OF CHOCOLATE :) haha. The Roads are pretty icey and snowy but I dunno sometimes bad sometimes good. It's kind of a blizzard right now so pretty rough as of late :)
4. I didn't get any cookies but they sound really good!!!
5. I dunno if he is related to Bob Empey I will ask later. He's from St. George though and he is a stud!
6. When riding down hills gets a little cold but I am always warm when riding it's when I'm not riding the bike when I get really cold!
7. My gloves seem to be ok if I need anything I will buy it here... I might need another Jacket.
8. Ya I will just buy some more thermals here if I need them.
9. We live in our church but it is kind of like a seperate appartment just off of the church.
10. I think we stay with members I am going to call the BML there and set up a time with him tonight (for when we go and stay in Kemi)
11.Yes we do have studed tires.
OK well the worst part is my bike seat pad fell off so I am going to go buy a new one today becuase it is killing me!!!!!! haha sorry I don't have a lot of time but we have a couple good investi's we are going to try to get in the water this change so THANKS AND LOVE YOU ALL!!!!!!!!
Rakkaudella Vanhin Thatcher
1. No I have not seen Santa yet but soon.
2. They say that you can see the Northern Lights up here but they usually go off at 2 am so I am going to tell the ward members if they ever see them to call!! But it is very foggy and overcast pretty much the whole time!
3.about -3 C is average. so not to cold yet, and the sun usually rises about 10 or 11 and sets about 2 or 3 but its always overcast so I haven't seen the sun since Helsinki! It's not to bad though just makes days go really slow and we are tired a lot and WE EAT A LOT OF CHOCOLATE :) haha. The Roads are pretty icey and snowy but I dunno sometimes bad sometimes good. It's kind of a blizzard right now so pretty rough as of late :)
4. I didn't get any cookies but they sound really good!!!
5. I dunno if he is related to Bob Empey I will ask later. He's from St. George though and he is a stud!
6. When riding down hills gets a little cold but I am always warm when riding it's when I'm not riding the bike when I get really cold!
7. My gloves seem to be ok if I need anything I will buy it here... I might need another Jacket.
8. Ya I will just buy some more thermals here if I need them.
9. We live in our church but it is kind of like a seperate appartment just off of the church.
10. I think we stay with members I am going to call the BML there and set up a time with him tonight (for when we go and stay in Kemi)
11.Yes we do have studed tires.
OK well the worst part is my bike seat pad fell off so I am going to go buy a new one today becuase it is killing me!!!!!! haha sorry I don't have a lot of time but we have a couple good investi's we are going to try to get in the water this change so THANKS AND LOVE YOU ALL!!!!!!!!
Rakkaudella Vanhin Thatcher
From Elder Campbell:
November 21, 2009
Hi everyone!
So I ate pata de puerco this week. I asked for one just to try it and the bishop´s wife gave me 2 and then wouldn´t give me dessert (chocolate cake) until I cleaned my plate. Some of you might not know what pata de puerco is but it´s probably better that way.
Rocio and Erika got baptized last Saturday. It was probably my favorite baptismal service so far because of how chill and well organized it was. Normally at a baptism we´re all rushing around until the last second because we forgot something or people haven´t showed up yet or whatever else that can go wrong. It´s so nice here in the office because we are right next door to our chapel and here we have a computer and printer to make the programs and fill up the font on time with hot water and set everything up in time. It was also the first baptism I´ve seen where the person who got baptized was asked to give the closing prayer. Rocio was pretty shocked and nervous but it went really well. She said that she had never felt anything like it before in her life. We´re hoping that Jorge´s baptism goes through today so I´ll let you know next week.
Last Monday morning we woke up early to take Elder Cruz, my first companion, to the airport. He couldn´t find his wallet with his I.D. in it to get his ticket but searching through his suitcase he found his Costco card which amazingly was enough for them to give him his ticket. I laughed pretty hard about that one. Then Tuesday morning we got up even earlier to take the Hydes, a couple in our mission who has been here teaching English in Benemerito, the church high school down here, to the airport. It was so weird to be in the international part of the airport and it was the first time I´ve really thought about what it´s going to be like going home. I´m just glad I have a long time before I have to do that.
This week I´ve had a lot of work to do here in the office. We´ve gotten 2 new elders from Peru and I´ve been working on their visas. One elder started his mission on Sep. 30 but he had to wait an extra month for his visa to go through. This change we´ll be getting new American elders for the first time since June so we get to go pick them up.
Can I just say how much I miss shoveling snow? Here in Mexico I don´t think they´ll be celebrating Thanksgiving but I´m sure we´ll find something to do. Yeah that´s crazy, exactly a year ago I was checking the mail every day for my call wondering where I would be in a year...
Til next week,
Love you all!
Elder Campbell
Hi everyone!
So I ate pata de puerco this week. I asked for one just to try it and the bishop´s wife gave me 2 and then wouldn´t give me dessert (chocolate cake) until I cleaned my plate. Some of you might not know what pata de puerco is but it´s probably better that way.
Rocio and Erika got baptized last Saturday. It was probably my favorite baptismal service so far because of how chill and well organized it was. Normally at a baptism we´re all rushing around until the last second because we forgot something or people haven´t showed up yet or whatever else that can go wrong. It´s so nice here in the office because we are right next door to our chapel and here we have a computer and printer to make the programs and fill up the font on time with hot water and set everything up in time. It was also the first baptism I´ve seen where the person who got baptized was asked to give the closing prayer. Rocio was pretty shocked and nervous but it went really well. She said that she had never felt anything like it before in her life. We´re hoping that Jorge´s baptism goes through today so I´ll let you know next week.
Last Monday morning we woke up early to take Elder Cruz, my first companion, to the airport. He couldn´t find his wallet with his I.D. in it to get his ticket but searching through his suitcase he found his Costco card which amazingly was enough for them to give him his ticket. I laughed pretty hard about that one. Then Tuesday morning we got up even earlier to take the Hydes, a couple in our mission who has been here teaching English in Benemerito, the church high school down here, to the airport. It was so weird to be in the international part of the airport and it was the first time I´ve really thought about what it´s going to be like going home. I´m just glad I have a long time before I have to do that.
This week I´ve had a lot of work to do here in the office. We´ve gotten 2 new elders from Peru and I´ve been working on their visas. One elder started his mission on Sep. 30 but he had to wait an extra month for his visa to go through. This change we´ll be getting new American elders for the first time since June so we get to go pick them up.
Can I just say how much I miss shoveling snow? Here in Mexico I don´t think they´ll be celebrating Thanksgiving but I´m sure we´ll find something to do. Yeah that´s crazy, exactly a year ago I was checking the mail every day for my call wondering where I would be in a year...
Til next week,
Love you all!
Elder Campbell
Greetings from Rovaniemi - An Update from Elder Thatcher:
Hey All,
So I am hear in Rovaniemi! Man 9 hours on a day train and I finally made it! No lie I hope I don't die on the bike here. It is hard and different and my seat pad fell off so I am feeling pretty sore. OUCH! haha but man Roi is so great, we had a teach last night that went really well. Vanhin Empey is my new compi, he is a stud and I like him a lot. This is his 3rd Transfer in Finland and Roi (Rovaniemi) is his greenie city. Well no lie it is cold and snowing but I am glad to be here. We live pretty much right in the church which is fun and good. Man biking, I hope I start feeling more comfortable on a bike in Ice and snow. Well our BML gave us a ride with all my bags back to the place last night which was good and he is a great guy! Well another cool thing about Roi is we have a visiting city which is Kemi so once a change we go down on a train and spend a day or two there. That's pretty fun but ya everything is going really well here, and I am grateful to be here even though I still don't know what I'm doing and I just hope I don't die on my bike :) travel is really stressful :) Well I love it here and am so grateful for this opportunity! haha the ward list in Haaga was 13 pages long and here it is a half a page long. So sunday will definatly be a different experience! Sometime this change though I will get the chance to go back down to the Sink when I have another Language school. So that will be fun! haha man it is dark here haha. Well I will write again on Monday, also I wrote some letters on the train that I will send off soon :) Love you all so much and pray that I don't die on my bike :).
Well take care and have fun!
Vanhin Thatcher
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