Nick,
We had an awesome dust storm. Maybe I'll send you a picture I took of it rolling in. The light turned red inside the house, kinda creepy. Otherwise, Matt's got a job interview this week, hopefully it leads to good things. Jerah's house smells like pee (at least that's what she told me) because they're trying to potty train the boys. We went and had cake and ice cream for Abby's birthday. Crazy to think she's 5 and will start kindergarten in August. Matt and Matt broke the kitchen faucet when they were trying to fix the leaking. Snapped the spout clean off. So we had to buy a new faucet yesterday. Not where we wanted to spend money but something we were planning to replace sooner or later. Guess it was sooner. That's about what our life's at right now. My hollyhocks are finally blooming. Nice pink double blooms.
Matt and Sam
Nick my brother:
Life is hard. There is a lot of work to be done, but if you do to much work you will get lost in your work. The suspense, anticipation really, of looking at something is oft times is more daunting than the actual task itself. I find that I constantly have to pace myself, and just dive into things. I need to do better in life. More humility, scriptures, prayers, doing what is right all are some things I am trying to incorporate more into my life. If you could have done anything to prepare you better for your mission what would it have been? I need to get more inspired. I need to set myself up better financially for the mission. Anyway that is whats on my mind. Keep strong and Carry On.
-Alex
Nick,
Mom went to live with Grandma 'O' for a month or so - I suppose she will write you separate. You know I love you and will try to keep some email's coming from this end, but you may need to practice some forgiveness if I fail. You haven't told me a lot about Argentina and the people you meet. It would be good to hear and to let Alex know what you find difficult and challenging along with your blessings. I hope your personal study is bringing you knowledge and increased spirituality.
One thing on my mind as of late is of how in many ways I could of done so much better on my mission. However, at the end of my mission I prayed and received the knowledge that my service to the Lord was acceptable - It was a warm and fulfilling feeling. The point I'm making is that we cannot operate at perfection all of the time if ever and that we cannot let discouragement win the battle - It's just a mountain we have to continually climb and overcome.
As far as pictures... Can you get them from google+ or should you not be on that account. I promise to work on them this week.
Love,
Dad
From NICK TO THE FAMILY
Matt & Sam - Dust storm. I swear I never had them in my childhood and now they roll in every summer, more than once. Pretty cool with the light. Crazy to think that she's that old. Yup. I didn't even realize it. And of course they broke something when trying to fix it. It's just what happens. Everytime I try to fix the shower faucet here it becomes different. It actually came out pretty well this last time. I also think they fixed the water pressure a little bit. I think I'll have to take a picture of it sometime. Good to know things are blooming there. The winter here has been super mild. Cold, yes, but it feels like spring occasionally. The humidity does mean things though. Feels freezing when it's only like 60 degrees or under. Enjoy your flowers.
Alex - A principle to be learned throughout an entire lifetime. First, to prepare, I would have studied Preach My Gospel. Preferably in Spanish. Just kidding about that point. Kind of. Especially the Christlike attributes part, but basically all of it is applicable. The last few chapters aren't quite so applicable though, or the language one. But study it. At least know there are lessons, and what they are, more or less. Write things down. And on that topic, for when you read your scriptures, take notes. Take them in something that you can read later. I have some in a notebook I had before I left, and they are awesome. They could also have been better. And also, read the Ensign. Especially the conference issue. The New Era is also more applicable, age wise. I just read a New Era yesterday, and it was awesome. The stories are a bit more relevant. Advised. That is a basic list. If you actually read the Preach My Gospel section on studying it has even more. Learning is fun.
Dad - It's alright. I forgave Mom when she forgot me, and I forgive Ty five out of six weeks. Hehe. Ty gives good emails, though, that help make up for it. Even if he does write them during work many times. Argentina is a bit to describe. In my area about thirty percent of the streets are paved, which is pretty good. They have these ditches along the side of the road where sewage runs, so things are generally wet. Everything is really close together. I could jump from roof to roof. Most houses are made out of a type of red brick that is probably super cheap, then reinforced with concrete and rebar, to some extent. One of those big tractors at the dump, the ones with the metal tires could do some pretty mean things here. There are different types of shops everywhere. There are little shops called kioscos that sell basic things like bread and candies and other small things, then bakeries, meat shops, pharmacies, clothing shops, and supermarkets, which are always owned by Chinese people who don't speak very good Spanish. In basically all these shops the owners just live right next to the shop or right above it. Plenty of small soccer fields around. Basketball hoops at the stake centers. Ping pong tables do exist, however. I played once in my chapel. And won, of course. The people are good. Not quite honest enough, but what'll ya do. We have one investigator, Lucas, who is doing really well. His girlfriend is a less active member, and he decided to investigate the church because of her example. He was really into the Catholic church. He's 20, by the way. He went to the meetings, took Misa, was confirmed, all those other things I can't quite remember. He's really accepting, however. He's set for baptism this next month. Our other best investigator is Oscar, the father of a member family. He likes the Church, but never really had time or desires to really listen and make a decision. He is quitting smoking. We reaffirmed a promise to quit smoking, and just as good, he has been reading the Book of Mormon. He started from the beginning. He says he wants to be baptized in the spring, but we are working to change that a little bit. Like in August. They are good. It is awesome when they start fulfilling their commitments, by praying, by reading the scriptures. By going to church, always a trouble for Argentines. Overall things go well here. I'm not supposed to visit other sites. I can only stay on this website, not even LDS.org can I visit. Weird grammar there. So yeah.
