Hello America!

The Dominican Republic is treating me well. Except for the sun.

I don't even remember what we did this week, but it was good. We were with Eldpidio the other day, he is going to get baptized this week! He is like 50 or 60 something and he told us he is in love with Miguelina! She is a member of the church and so hopefully in one year from now I'll be going to the temple with them in Santo Domingo to go to their wedding!

Jimmy, the Haitian is also really good. He went to church on Sunday again and he has really changed his life. Sometimes the mission is hard, but its all worth it when you see somebody's life change for the better. He always talks about how he loves reading the Book of Mormon and he does it every night. He told us that we can come by to share every day of the week if we want. He is super humble and loving and I just love him a lot.

Presidente Castillo called and I'm going to train a new missionary. This should be interesting. haha

Pictures,

Our district and the zone leaders

Male model?

Me right before I jumped into the swimming pool

It's hot here

This week was interesting.

First, it is so hot here. If we walk in the street for more that 5 minutes during the day, I get soaked. It's so uncomfortable.

We had to contact so much this week. I feel really lucky to be here because the people are so nice and let you in a lot, but nobody let us in. I don't even know how many people we talked to but it was a lot. It was sad because these people don't know what they are missing out on. But... 

we did find a part member family that is super good. The mom hasn't gone to church in like 20 since she moved, but her family is cool and she gives us lemonade. So all the work was worth it.

Also this week so many people have been saying crap to me about Spanish. So many people judge me because I'm white and if I don't start talking to somebody first, they don't think I speak Spanish. It was bugging me really bad so I read about when Jesus was crucified and he said, "Forgive them for they know not what they do." I really liked that because a mission is hard and I've only been speaking Spanish for 9 months. I'm trying to help people and they don't know how it is so I don't have to worry about what they say.

I just keep learning more and more about Jesus and how amazing He was and is. I know that Jesus lives and that He loves us. He lived a perfect life and suffered for us so we don't have to. But we have to follow Him. Even though a mission is hard, I am happy. Jesus equals Happiness.

I didn't take any pictures this week, but here is another one of me on top of Puerto Plata! I love Puerto Plata!

Hot Shower

Lots of good news...

We were contacting and my comp saw this door open on the second story of this building and I didn't really want to but we contacted the house and this guy came to the door and he was super nice. He is married! Him and his wife don't go to a church, but believe in God and they seem really interested.

Elpidio went to church! I'm pretty sure he is going to get married to this member lady that lives across the street from him and so I might get to go to the temple in a year from when he gets baptized.

There is this super cool returned missionary in our ward and his family, the Polancos, are FILTHY rich. His dad distributes all the Mars Bars and Colgate for the whole country. We hung out with him today for our pday and they fed us and gave us a bunch of food. We played tennis then soccer and I took a shower in their house. It was the nicest shower I have ever been in. I took a cold shower because its so hot here but I put it on hot for a second just to remember how it felt. He is 20 and speaks perfect English and Spanish. He is going to BYU in August. But their family is awesome and I love this country.

The church is true. Jesus is our Savior. God is real. The Book of Mormon is also true, read it.

Elder Eliason

Me at the Polanco house

Me shooting a giant cannon at pirates

Sometimes nobody wants to listen to us

Milagros

Woah! This week was so awesome.

First, we got this reference from a member last week and we went this week and this guy is so cool. His name is Elpidio and he is so prepared. The first time we taught him we were basically just listening to him talk and he started asking us what he has to do to be a member of our church. He takes care of this ancient lady that is 88. He asked us to give her a blessing. We went into the room and I thought she was almost dead. We gave her a blessing and in two days when we went back he said she is doing a lot better. She ate solid food for the first time in a long time and was talking too. The Priesthood is real. We have already taught him 3 times and he is so ready!

We went to teach Mariano the Word of Wisdom and he was super drunk so we decided another day would be better. haha

We played basketball 2 times this week. All the kids in the street respect me because I can play basketball.

We went to the Teleferico today which is basically like the tram that goes up the big mountain here. We saw a lot of gringos and I felt really uncomfortable around them. It is super cool. I'm defintely coming back here to visit.

Pictures,

Me holding up a giant statue of our Savior with only one hand.

Me preaching repentance to all of Puerto Plata.

Coolest picture of me ever taken???