Week 11 - Tucuman

[This was the second week without a letter from Alec. We had not received an email since November 10. Not receiving an email last week didn't seem too out of the ordinary because we thought it was transfers and sometimes things get a little crazy. But when we didn't hear from him yesterday and today, I was getting concerned; and I didn't want to worry over Thanksgiving. So I sent an email to the Salta Mission Office explaining my concerns and if there would be a way to contact him and then let me know everything is okay. They didn't reply until Wednesday morning and said that he had had problems with his email account, and that he should be emailing later that day. Whew! I was relieved. That was all I needed to hear!]

Wednesday, November 26, 2014

I am sorry that I couldnt write on Monday. I had some problems with my account. I was planning on writing today. I was also told that you had called the offices wondering why. Last week I couldnt write because we went to a tourist place called El Cristo de San Javier. Its a big Christ statue on a big hill. It was really cool. I will send you some pictures. 

I have been doing good. I have no idea how much time it takes for mail to get here. I dont remember if I ever received the pouch mail. I got a letter last week from the Cran´s. Missionaries are still getting packages so I dont know what the deal is. 

I have been told so far that it does get as hot as Frias. But normally Frias is a little hotter. Its more humid in Tucuman. 

I think I will just work until the end of the year when I get home. Just earn a lot of money to help me out with college and getting going an all. I want to go out west for school. I would like to go to BYU or Weber State. A possibility is BYU-I but that’s if I dont go to Utah. I dont want to pay all of the out of state tuition for other schools. I want to work for the year so I can be home for when Logan and Steven get home. It would be great to do something together when were are all back. Allison, Logan, Steven, and I. I would also really like to go out to Utah for when Ben gets back home and to go see Grandma. 

But I will now send you guys some pictures. 

We have transfers this coming Monday but nothing will be happening to me because I have to finish training this transfer.

I love you all a ton! Enjoy the turkey, ham, and all the ham sauce!

Hasta Luego!

Elder Dawson

[Alec and companions went to a tourist place called El Cristo de San Javier in Tucuman - hence why no email on November 17]

 

 

Week 10 - Tucuman

Monday, November 17, 2014

[It was Transfers today -- so we thought. Usually we hear from Alec on Tuesday or sometimes Wednesday, but we did not hear from Alec this week. We found out later he went site seeing!]

Week 9 - Tucuman

Monday, November 10, 2014

So, I had a good week. Its getting hot again. You guys will be super surprised to see my tan when I get home. Its ridiculous. 

My Sunday church meetings start at 9:30 am. We just have one ward in our building. We are the stake center. On Pdays we wash clothes in the apartment, we play soccer, eat, every once in a while we just go looking around downtown. We have lunches almost all week. Only one or two times a week we have to cook but that is alright. My luggage is good. I am thinking about giving away one of the big bags to a member that is getting stuff ready to go on a mission. I will see if I can give him some extra clothes or something. I am also thinking about leaving that huge cold rain jacket. But I am still not sure. I am pretty sure I will have one more area before I end the mission. 

Not a whole lot as happened. The sisters in the district are sad because none of there investigators went to church, no one is progressing or have baptismal dates. But now I am pretty sure they are dropping everyone. We are starting to do it too. We will all be able to find even more people that are ready for the Restored Gospel. 

The computers are acting up and not letting me send pictures. I will see what I can do. 

I love and miss you all! I would like a picture also of just the family. The five of you! I will see you later!

Elder Dawson

Week 8 - Tucuman

Monday, November 3, 2014

I am still pretty surprised about the whole school thing.[We told him briefly about the PCCS board trying to close the high school and just make it a K-8 school.] It really interests me. I hope that you keep me updated. 

I think I do remember a time when Bryson [Elder Morrow] stood up for me. I liked him a lot as a friend. It is crazy that he is now in the ward. When I get back I am going to go visit him. 

I had a good week. Right now its cold and rainy. Its going to be like that for a couple days this week. Its definitely a big change from the hot weather that we have been having.

Thanks for all the updates. I will send pictures now. I love and miss you all!

Elder Dawson

[?Did not get any pictures]

Week 7 - Tucuman

Monday, October 27, 2014

Thank you for the pictures of the family! I am mind blown of the difference of the family! Are those new glasses dad? Sean is a heck of a lot taller. He looks like a long neck dinosaur. I am just kidding! Everybody is different. What has happened to Aunt Audene? Shes blonde now! I was laughing really hard at Uncle Steven and his Duke jacket and Duke hat! I liked it a lot! 

I cannot believe that Bryson Morrow is in the ward! I havent heard anything about him ever since he moved out of Lehi! That is so crazy. I saw the picture before the letter and I just thought those just must be the missionaries of the ward saying hi! Then you asked me if I remembered him! At that moment I realized who it was and was just flipping out. haha That is super cool. How much time does he have in the mission? Will he be in the mission still by the time that I get back? Give him my mission email and tell him to email me!

So my son is Bolivian. His name is Elder Mendoza. He is 19. I never took a picture with him from my camera so I will send you one next week. We had a great first week together. He was able to have his first baptism on Saturday. Oh Elder Mendoza is also a convert. He got baptized a year and a half ago. 

So, I have a question. I have heard that in December an eclipse is going to happen and that there will be darkness for three days. What do you know about this?

So I hope to see a couple more pictures of the family. I liked them a lot. I also hope that you all have a great week! I love you all!

Elder Alec Dawson

Week 6 - Tucuman

Monday, October 20, 2014

Hola mamá y papá, 

Today is the first day of a new transfer. I am a father! I am going to Salta tomorrow afternoon to go get my kid. I am calm. I dont know what to think. I just want to work really hard so that he can have a good time, have a lot of success, and accomplish his goals. 

We had a good week. We ended with a baptism. Angel Luciano Giminez. He is 13 and next Sunday he is getting the priesthood along with his Grandpa that was baptized about a month ago. 

The District is doing good. We all have people that are willing to get baptized that we are teaching. Our district leads the zone in baptisms. The sisters are really working hard. I am hoping the best for all of us so that we can have a lot of success. 

So, its raining. I think that it will all go away today. 

I am writing early so I dont have a message from you guys. I just hope that you all have great week. 

Mom, I wish you a happy birthday! I love you tons! <3

Hasta la semana que viene!

Elder Dawson

Week 5 - Tucuman

Monday, October 13, 2014

  

I dont have that much time today but I will do my best to answer all your questions!

I have heard about the movie [Meet the Mormons] but I dont know if we will watch it. Maybe in a zone conference but that wont happen until December or so. I dont know about anything of iPad. I think that we would never get that stuff here. If we do there will be very big restrictions. 

As a district we have had some good success. Last month we has 6 baptisms. And this month we have a couple and we are planning some for this week and next week. I love it here in Tucuman. I am excited for this next week. This is the last week of the transfer. So on Sunday we will find out if I train or get another companion. 

So I have to go! I hope that you all have a great week! I love you all! 

Elder Dawson