Hey friends and fam...
Thanks for all the emails! Mom I got your 2 letters and greenie package this week!! Made my day hardcore... super awesome and thoughtful!
But yeah first off birds... so chickens are always just wandering through the houses making a racket whenever we are trying to teach... which is annoying, but kinda funny. But the real reason I hate birds is because this inactive lady we were visiting found an injured bird (the ugliest thing you have ever seen) on the side of the road and took it in as her pet. It just flaps around her house trying to fly and poops on things and it is ugly and terrible and disgusting and I now understand why Brenna hates birds. Hahaha
Dogs- this country is over-run by dogs. I’m pretty sure there are more dogs here than humans. They are all mutts that are super ugly and mean and just run wild making thousands of more dogs every day. I still love dodger and most dogs, just not these flee bags!
Drugs- Holy cow the word of Wisdom is divinely inspired. So many investigators just can’t overcome the WOW problems. These drugs just take over their lives. We have one who is trying to give up smoking and it is insane seeing his body fight back. So yeah don’t do drugs... obviously I hate them more than anything. haha
Gangs- so we have 2 big gangs here in El Salvador, 13 and 18 (they have names but I don’t know how to spell them so Im just putting there numbers) the gang line in my city is about 3 blocks from my house. We rarely ever teach teenage boys because even if they aren’t involved they risk getting shot if they cross the line to come to church... Super sick experience last week- Some guy runs down the street yelling close the doors!! Just as the member we were teaching goes to close the door we just here gunfire start up just a stone throw down the road!! We lock the door and take shelter in the back of the house... super scary but awesome at the same time! Don’t worry though, the gangs have rules against hurting missionaries because they think the US Government will come after them if they hurt this "American church" so yeah we have never had any problems.
Umm what else.... everyone is amazed when they see two white people walking down the streets... everybody just stares. A kid ran into a car and fell off his bike and ate crap the other day because he was staring at us. hahahahha Super funny and a little sad... we helped him up hahahaha
We don’t give out a ton of BOM until after we have had a couple lessons with someone... apparently they were getting used as fire starter and joints when elders used to just give them out.
I got my immigration stuff taken care of, so I guess I am legal here for another year... can’t deport me!
We helped a lady who is fleeing the country because the gangs are trying to kill her for not paying rent, fill out her Visa paper (it was in English) the third hour of church this week! Super exciting! hahaha
Oh I know why we can never understand anyone when you call in to companies like verizon or dish or anything. They all live here!! The dream job is to work for an American company call center... They try so hard to learn English... I have come to love those people because we help each other learn more English/Spanish so next time you are mad if you can’t understand someone, just know that they are probably my BFF down here. hahaha
But yeah life goes on here. Keep me updated I love hearing from you guys!
Love,
Elder Davis
PS Mosiah 2:41 is definitely my new favorite scripture
Monday, August 25, 2014
Monday, August 18, 2014
Week 8- Two weeks in
This week was a ton better than last week. I am starting to adjust to missionary life. I had a bunch of pictures to send, and a whole paper about things to write you guys, but I left it at home because I am dumb.
My Spanish speaking I think is getting worse, but I am understanding a little more. I guess that is what happens to a lot of missionaries... Don’t really understand why, but yeah.
Oh yeah, some of you said you wanted to send me stuff!! Super awesome-- you guys are the best and I haven’t got your package yet mom, but hopefully soon!
(random side note about sending a package if you desire to hahaha. Put a picture of Jesus or the Virgin Mary on the outside... people apparently don't steal the stuff in them generally if they have those pics on them because they feel bad. hahaha Thanks!)
Mision El Salvador San Salvador Este
Apartado Postal #3362
San Salvador, El Salvador
Centro America
The best day of the week was Saturday. We woke up and cut down this fat tree for one of our investigators and it just felt good to do some actual work for a while. Then we had all 6 of our appointments fall through. Nobody that had agreed to meet with us could, we just walked from appointment to appointment and getting nowhere. But I was happy... It was weird. I don’t really know why, literally everything was going wrong. I guess God was just blessing me with the happiness we promise investigators if they work to have the spirit with them. It was a really awesome day for me.
Family- Your trip sounds Awesome!! I wish I could have been there! Dad holy crap you re-proposed in a cute way!! I think that was almost as good as "Do you want a piece of gum" hahahahahahahahhaha
That’s crazy that Addison is home!! I wonder if I’ll feel the same way she did when I have to take off my badge, probably if I continue to give this all I’ve got for 2 years. CRAZY!!
A few people said they wanted to hear about what we do every day... basically we wake up, study until about 12, then go to a hermanas house who makes us lunch and does our laundry (awesome because without her I would be living off Oreos). Then we walk all over Quezaltepeque teaching lessons to our investigators, and looking for the houses of people we have contacted. Oh yeah- Latinos are annoying (not racist, just a fact) they feel bad if they tell you no to your face, but they have no problem just telling you fake addresses! It is already ridiculous to find an address here (there are only 3 street names here, and people just tell us like the 4th street past this street, and the 3rd house down on the left...It is crazy), but with people just making them up it makes it even harder hahaha
We had a great Sunday experience. One of our investigators didn’t want to come to church, but we were being pretty persistent with her, just then another investigator is walking by (everyone walks to church) and convinces her to go... After the meeting she just walks up to us and gives us the biggest hug and thanks us for getting her to go to church. She felt the spirit hard core... Super cool!
But yeah overall things are going good, keep me updated on things at home!
Love,
Elder Davis
My Spanish speaking I think is getting worse, but I am understanding a little more. I guess that is what happens to a lot of missionaries... Don’t really understand why, but yeah.
Oh yeah, some of you said you wanted to send me stuff!! Super awesome-- you guys are the best and I haven’t got your package yet mom, but hopefully soon!
(random side note about sending a package if you desire to hahaha. Put a picture of Jesus or the Virgin Mary on the outside... people apparently don't steal the stuff in them generally if they have those pics on them because they feel bad. hahaha Thanks!)
Mision El Salvador San Salvador Este
Apartado Postal #3362
San Salvador, El Salvador
Centro America
The best day of the week was Saturday. We woke up and cut down this fat tree for one of our investigators and it just felt good to do some actual work for a while. Then we had all 6 of our appointments fall through. Nobody that had agreed to meet with us could, we just walked from appointment to appointment and getting nowhere. But I was happy... It was weird. I don’t really know why, literally everything was going wrong. I guess God was just blessing me with the happiness we promise investigators if they work to have the spirit with them. It was a really awesome day for me.
Family- Your trip sounds Awesome!! I wish I could have been there! Dad holy crap you re-proposed in a cute way!! I think that was almost as good as "Do you want a piece of gum" hahahahahahahahhaha
That’s crazy that Addison is home!! I wonder if I’ll feel the same way she did when I have to take off my badge, probably if I continue to give this all I’ve got for 2 years. CRAZY!!
A few people said they wanted to hear about what we do every day... basically we wake up, study until about 12, then go to a hermanas house who makes us lunch and does our laundry (awesome because without her I would be living off Oreos). Then we walk all over Quezaltepeque teaching lessons to our investigators, and looking for the houses of people we have contacted. Oh yeah- Latinos are annoying (not racist, just a fact) they feel bad if they tell you no to your face, but they have no problem just telling you fake addresses! It is already ridiculous to find an address here (there are only 3 street names here, and people just tell us like the 4th street past this street, and the 3rd house down on the left...It is crazy), but with people just making them up it makes it even harder hahaha
We had a great Sunday experience. One of our investigators didn’t want to come to church, but we were being pretty persistent with her, just then another investigator is walking by (everyone walks to church) and convinces her to go... After the meeting she just walks up to us and gives us the biggest hug and thanks us for getting her to go to church. She felt the spirit hard core... Super cool!
But yeah overall things are going good, keep me updated on things at home!
Love,
Elder Davis
Sunday, August 17, 2014
Week 6 & 7
First week in El Salvador and tons of things to say but no time to say them!
First thank you guys tons for your email. I love reading them, and thanks dad and Mattie for your Dear Elder letters, those were awesome, and tell Mattie I couldn’t stop cracking up!! Also those dear elders were cool because we have very little emailing time and those and real letters I can read whenever!
Number one I am done with my old comp!!! Yipee!!! I got paired with a North American here!!! His name is Elder Schmidt and he is from Sandy Utah. He said this is the first time he has ever had a norte companion and this is his first time training and this is the first time that he has ever heard of two Nortes here in Quetzatepeque... Evidently the Lord has something for us to do that only us English speakers can do or something... who knows.
Quick story.... Our van popped a tire on the way to El Salvador. We were stuck on the side of the road for two hours trying to change it because the tire was like welded on the axel (Super Ghetto) but eventually I got smart and we all prayed and within 10 minutes we were able to get the tire off and eventually be on our way.
My mission president is Vasquez. He is trying to learn English, but he doesn’t know much. He seems really cool though!
I tried my first papusa, it’s like the food here that everyone has...It is EVERYWHERE. Luckily it is super good, kinda like those burrito quesadilla things Brandon makes, but different... I don’t really know, all I know is they are good!
Hot water is non existant, but whatever
Clearly my P days are Mondays.
I’ve been called a devil worshiper twice and have learned great new Spanish words like how to say drunk. So that is fun!
Also learned to be obedient! We were like 10 minutes late coming home once because we were planning this thing with some members and right at 9, (when we are supposed to be home) it started pouring rain and tons of wind and was a pain in the butt to get home, so yeah... I am being reminded by God to be exactly obedient I guess!
Its really hard just going through lessons and stuff all day and having practically know idea what is going on, but I’m trying to stay positive... been praying for the gift of tongues and I know I’ll be able to learn this language eventually. Love you guys!
Elder Davis
BTW this one is my CCM district and they are the coolest people alive
My CCM companion
I wonder how long his shoes will last???
First thank you guys tons for your email. I love reading them, and thanks dad and Mattie for your Dear Elder letters, those were awesome, and tell Mattie I couldn’t stop cracking up!! Also those dear elders were cool because we have very little emailing time and those and real letters I can read whenever!
Number one I am done with my old comp!!! Yipee!!! I got paired with a North American here!!! His name is Elder Schmidt and he is from Sandy Utah. He said this is the first time he has ever had a norte companion and this is his first time training and this is the first time that he has ever heard of two Nortes here in Quetzatepeque... Evidently the Lord has something for us to do that only us English speakers can do or something... who knows.
Quick story.... Our van popped a tire on the way to El Salvador. We were stuck on the side of the road for two hours trying to change it because the tire was like welded on the axel (Super Ghetto) but eventually I got smart and we all prayed and within 10 minutes we were able to get the tire off and eventually be on our way.
My mission president is Vasquez. He is trying to learn English, but he doesn’t know much. He seems really cool though!
I tried my first papusa, it’s like the food here that everyone has...It is EVERYWHERE. Luckily it is super good, kinda like those burrito quesadilla things Brandon makes, but different... I don’t really know, all I know is they are good!
Hot water is non existant, but whatever
Clearly my P days are Mondays.
I’ve been called a devil worshiper twice and have learned great new Spanish words like how to say drunk. So that is fun!
Also learned to be obedient! We were like 10 minutes late coming home once because we were planning this thing with some members and right at 9, (when we are supposed to be home) it started pouring rain and tons of wind and was a pain in the butt to get home, so yeah... I am being reminded by God to be exactly obedient I guess!
Its really hard just going through lessons and stuff all day and having practically know idea what is going on, but I’m trying to stay positive... been praying for the gift of tongues and I know I’ll be able to learn this language eventually. Love you guys!
Elder Davis
BTW this one is my CCM district and they are the coolest people alive
My CCM companion
I wonder how long his shoes will last???
Tuesday, July 29, 2014
Week 5- Last week in the CCM
This week honestly just flew by! Before I forget, Dad- the answer to your trivia question is obviously Gandalf... That was awesome though, keep sending me quotes!! And with that said, Dad and mom thanks for the letter- I think normal mail is definitely the way to go, pouch mail is taking as long as a month to get here. Oh yeah and don’t send anything else here please, send it down to El Salvador because it wont get here in time- Thanks you guys are the best!
Yeah so anyways this week flew by and was actually pretty good. If I am being honest there was only one day where we didn’t get a little scolded by a teacher for doing something "Wrong", but this was by far my best week so far.
And don’t worry, I am not breaking real rules or anything. In fact, the CCM President, President Cox, saw me and my companion studying one day and just sat down across from us and talked to us for like 15 minutes about his time in the training place and how they used to be able to go to all the BYU football games and how much more relaxed it was. He told us not to get him wrong, we need to follow all the rules, but don't be afraid just to have some fun and mess around a little as long as we are serious and spiritual when we need to be---- Seriously the Coolest President I could ever ask for!
So Josh won the bachelorette we hear, is that what you wanted mom??
Random fact- I now sleep with my flashlight because we started playing this game with like 45 other elders where we night raid other rooms and it is way to complex to explain, but super fun... Not quite sure why I am telling you this but whatever.
I have been studying from Jesus the Christ a lot (Even though if I truly cared about my "Investigators" I wouldn’t-- Whatever) and have been learning a ton about Christ and the atonement. I always have known all the parts to the atonement and such, but I think for the first time in my life I am finally starting to begin to understand... ok, that probably didn’t make sense, but I don' t really know how else to say it.
Oh yeah, before I forget, I don' t know if I will have a P day to email next week because I will be sitting in a bus for 6 hours going down to the El Salvador mission home!!! So if you don’t hear from me I am probably still alive.
We went to the temple today and holy crap! I cant believe I was weirded out the first time I went! Every time I go I am starting to learn more, and I feel like whenever I am there and searching for an answer I receive one! It is just Awesome!!
On the 24th we thought the CCM was under attack! We hear all these gunshots while we were at sports and we all just instinctively dove to cover! Turns out there was some event going on next door and they were just firecrackers... Super scary and awesome for a minute though... And all the Utah kids claimed they brought Pioneer day down with them.
Yeah so overall great week and super pumped, even though I am probably not ready for the field next week!
Love, Elder Davis
Harrison 3rd Row, 7th from right
not pictured in this one...
Yeah so anyways this week flew by and was actually pretty good. If I am being honest there was only one day where we didn’t get a little scolded by a teacher for doing something "Wrong", but this was by far my best week so far.
And don’t worry, I am not breaking real rules or anything. In fact, the CCM President, President Cox, saw me and my companion studying one day and just sat down across from us and talked to us for like 15 minutes about his time in the training place and how they used to be able to go to all the BYU football games and how much more relaxed it was. He told us not to get him wrong, we need to follow all the rules, but don't be afraid just to have some fun and mess around a little as long as we are serious and spiritual when we need to be---- Seriously the Coolest President I could ever ask for!
So Josh won the bachelorette we hear, is that what you wanted mom??
Random fact- I now sleep with my flashlight because we started playing this game with like 45 other elders where we night raid other rooms and it is way to complex to explain, but super fun... Not quite sure why I am telling you this but whatever.
I have been studying from Jesus the Christ a lot (Even though if I truly cared about my "Investigators" I wouldn’t-- Whatever) and have been learning a ton about Christ and the atonement. I always have known all the parts to the atonement and such, but I think for the first time in my life I am finally starting to begin to understand... ok, that probably didn’t make sense, but I don' t really know how else to say it.
Oh yeah, before I forget, I don' t know if I will have a P day to email next week because I will be sitting in a bus for 6 hours going down to the El Salvador mission home!!! So if you don’t hear from me I am probably still alive.
We went to the temple today and holy crap! I cant believe I was weirded out the first time I went! Every time I go I am starting to learn more, and I feel like whenever I am there and searching for an answer I receive one! It is just Awesome!!
On the 24th we thought the CCM was under attack! We hear all these gunshots while we were at sports and we all just instinctively dove to cover! Turns out there was some event going on next door and they were just firecrackers... Super scary and awesome for a minute though... And all the Utah kids claimed they brought Pioneer day down with them.
Yeah so overall great week and super pumped, even though I am probably not ready for the field next week!
Love, Elder Davis
Harrison 3rd Row, 7th from right
Tuesday, July 22, 2014
4 weeks in...
This week went by pretty fast, luckily.
I had tons of notes of what I wanted to tell you, but
accidently left them in my room.
I guess I'll start with yesterday. This elder in my district
was not looking like his normal self and I asked him what was wrong.. After a
while he finally opened up and said he had gotten word that not only was his
grandpa probably going to die before he left the MTC , but that his mom has
got breast cancer for the second time. We talked for a while, and he asked me
if I would give him a blessing of comfort. All the guys in our district were
able to lay our hands on his head, and I was able to deliver the blessing. It
was an amazing experience for me, and I know it helped him as well.
Random CCM fact, we have miracle milk!! It doesn't go bad
until mid Febuary 2015!! Oh it tastes just so interesting!
My spanish is getting better, I feel discouraged at times,
but as I look back, I know I have learned a lot. I never take notes into
lessons anymore, and can get through a 30 minute lesson using spanish I know
pretty easily, so that is good.
I love you all and miss you. Thanks again for your little
emails! They are the highlight of my week!!
Love, Elder Davis
Tuesday, July 15, 2014
Week 3
I am half way done with the MTC!!!! So pumped to get out of here!! Ok, that may have sounded bad, but every Sunday our CCM president gives us a devotional...and he is just awesome! He gets us so pumped to go preach the gospel, half the time I am convinced I don’t even need to know Spanish! I just want to get out there and begin changing lives!
Ok, so last P-day we had less time because we were going to the Guatemala City Central Market. It was awesome! I negotiated with some locals and bought myself a sick hacky sack and probably the coolest native/tribal shirt you have ever seen! Then we went to Wendy' s and it tasted soooo amazing... we were all so pumped to taste some cheep fried American food again!
Later this week we gave the best lesson of our lives! Like our Spanish was high quality and the spirit was there and I know it was obviously just practice, but on the reals it was awesome and helped boost my spirits. I think God knows just how far he can push me before helping me out... It seems like every time I get down He gives me a little something that makes me happy again. Whether it be a fellow nerd moving in to my room that loves Harry Potter and Star Wars and has read Fault in our Stars, seen gossip girl and vampire diaries, or the amazing trip to the temple we got to have this morning.
Overall things are going good. Thank you for all the emails and letters! They help a ton!!
Love, Elder Davis
Ok, so last P-day we had less time because we were going to the Guatemala City Central Market. It was awesome! I negotiated with some locals and bought myself a sick hacky sack and probably the coolest native/tribal shirt you have ever seen! Then we went to Wendy' s and it tasted soooo amazing... we were all so pumped to taste some cheep fried American food again!
Later this week we gave the best lesson of our lives! Like our Spanish was high quality and the spirit was there and I know it was obviously just practice, but on the reals it was awesome and helped boost my spirits. I think God knows just how far he can push me before helping me out... It seems like every time I get down He gives me a little something that makes me happy again. Whether it be a fellow nerd moving in to my room that loves Harry Potter and Star Wars and has read Fault in our Stars, seen gossip girl and vampire diaries, or the amazing trip to the temple we got to have this morning.
Overall things are going good. Thank you for all the emails and letters! They help a ton!!
Love, Elder Davis
Wednesday, July 9, 2014
Week 2
So we only have half as much time to write today, and I spent most of it reading your emails to me. Thanks so much! They are awesome and I love hearing from home.
Oh pictures.. We got our cameras confiscated day 1 at the MTC because of some problems they had in the past... sorry.
So this was a hard, but good week. The Spanish is coming along, but I am still not close to being ready.
All of the Latinos that came in the same time I did left today- pretty sad about it actually because they were awesome! And I really just kinda want to get out of this place! I have like half of my floor calling the CCM (MTC in Spanish) the concentration camp for missionaries! Like it really feels like we are in jail! And this Nazi (that is what we call him) started directing us with a whistle... so I now I really feel like a prisoner. But whatever, I guess I will be blessed for following the rules!
Mom, before I forget My scripture is D & C 11:21 (Thanks Brenna!)
Funny story... the Latinos in my room tell me that every night I start speaking perfect Spanish (like I legit sound like a Latino) in my sleep...Why the heck cant I do that while I am awake?!!
Then I realized... I Pray for the gift of tongues before I go to bed!!! I need to start praying in the mornings! (I know it makes perfect sense)
So the other day I was having a pretty hard day... like nothing was wrong, I am just bored of doing the same thing day after day, and possibly feeling a little homesick. But this sister in my district was having a terrible day. She was just crying and crying. I think regarding how she left some things at home, but I am not sure. And all at once the 4 of us elders in the room got the exact same prompting to ask her if she wants a blessing of comfort. Like it was kinda freaky because we all looked up at the same time and knew that is what we needed to do. And holy cow it definitely helped her, but it also helped me. The spirit was so strong and it was one of the most amazing experiences I have ever had. It is weird to think 4 kids who a month ago were messing around in high school, now hold the Melchizedek priesthood and were able to do that... It was just awesome!
So the 4th of July was tough... All I could think about all day was every year going to the clinic, and this year Stadium of fire! President Cox knew it would be a hard day though, so he had the chef cook American food all day. We got burgers and fries for lunch, and RIBS for dinner!!! Nothing can cheer me up like some good old ribs!
Doing good and working hard.
Love you all,
Elder Davis
Oh pictures.. We got our cameras confiscated day 1 at the MTC because of some problems they had in the past... sorry.
So this was a hard, but good week. The Spanish is coming along, but I am still not close to being ready.
All of the Latinos that came in the same time I did left today- pretty sad about it actually because they were awesome! And I really just kinda want to get out of this place! I have like half of my floor calling the CCM (MTC in Spanish) the concentration camp for missionaries! Like it really feels like we are in jail! And this Nazi (that is what we call him) started directing us with a whistle... so I now I really feel like a prisoner. But whatever, I guess I will be blessed for following the rules!
Mom, before I forget My scripture is D & C 11:21 (Thanks Brenna!)
Funny story... the Latinos in my room tell me that every night I start speaking perfect Spanish (like I legit sound like a Latino) in my sleep...Why the heck cant I do that while I am awake?!!
Then I realized... I Pray for the gift of tongues before I go to bed!!! I need to start praying in the mornings! (I know it makes perfect sense)
So the other day I was having a pretty hard day... like nothing was wrong, I am just bored of doing the same thing day after day, and possibly feeling a little homesick. But this sister in my district was having a terrible day. She was just crying and crying. I think regarding how she left some things at home, but I am not sure. And all at once the 4 of us elders in the room got the exact same prompting to ask her if she wants a blessing of comfort. Like it was kinda freaky because we all looked up at the same time and knew that is what we needed to do. And holy cow it definitely helped her, but it also helped me. The spirit was so strong and it was one of the most amazing experiences I have ever had. It is weird to think 4 kids who a month ago were messing around in high school, now hold the Melchizedek priesthood and were able to do that... It was just awesome!
So the 4th of July was tough... All I could think about all day was every year going to the clinic, and this year Stadium of fire! President Cox knew it would be a hard day though, so he had the chef cook American food all day. We got burgers and fries for lunch, and RIBS for dinner!!! Nothing can cheer me up like some good old ribs!
Doing good and working hard.
Love you all,
Elder Davis
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