I guess on normal days we are able to email early. Last week
we couldnt because the normal places they go to were closed so we went to a
members house later and email. It was the presidents house...President of the
branch we are in. But my time here is actually only one hour ahead of you guys
so not that much of a change. I wasnt going to say everything I did this week
but still just inform you guys of different things that you would like to know.
So I am in a branch. It is smaller than the Texas one.
Yesterday there were about 25 people there. Me and my companion are actually
the counselors in the branch. Really weird for me. Next week I am going to be
conducting sacrament meeting...first time conducting sacrament meeting in my
life...in Spanish. Yesterday was actually Dia de la Madre (Mothers day). I
guess this is the only other place in the world that doesnt have it in May.
This is my normal schedule here. It
changes in different places in the mission. But this is it for me.
7:30 AM: Wake-up
7:30-8: Exercise
8-9: Prepare and eat breakfast
9-10: Personal Study
10-1: Out working
1: Lunch (usually with a member,
sometimes not)
2-5: Siesta (It is a custom that
everything pretty much closes and they go home, and sleep or do whatever at
home but we do more studies during this time).
5-10: We work more, then come home (at
least be home by 10:30)
10-10:30 planning
10:30-11:30: Do whatever we need to do, prepare for bed
In my missionary call packet it shows the addresses where
you can send packages and letters. They are two different addresses. One for
letters, one for packages. We have been told that really its best to not put a
whole lot in a letter. Really just paper and like pictures or something. Not
anything that is bulky or chunky. With packages, an Elder from the office goes
to a place to check for packages every two weeks. Then they stick them in a
black bag that they send with people around the mission. We receive the black
bag I think about every two weeks.
I just got your email.
11:49 am
I have to go soon but I will just answer your questions.
Yes the mission paid for travels to our areas. We receive
money every month for travels that we will be doing. We have district meeting
every other week. We have a training from the zone leaders once a month, and I think there are a few others things we would travel for. But for these
meetings we have to travel up to Santiago. It is a three hour or so bus ride...3 hours there and 3 hours back. We are also the only missionaries in Frias. I
have no idea how far away we are from other missionaries. Our district leaders
area is in Santiago. I didnt have any problems with passport or baggage. Right
now I am at our church building emailing. The president has a computer we can
use. Apparently the internet use to be really slow but now they just got a new
thing and the internet is a lot faster. But yeah it is really starting to warm
up.
