Another Week in the "Carpeta de Area......"

Elder Jaussi titled his e-mail "Another week down in the record books, or the carpeta de area."  He says this week that he has been "sicker than a dawg" with a head cold.  He had to take some time on his p-day for a nap.  The cold hasn't seemed to hamper his sense of humor nor his quirkiness.  His e-mails continue to be upbeat and fun.  He sent home his camera's SD card via the mail with a prayer that it would arrive safely for us to develop pictures for him.  It arrived today so that we have some new photos of our Elder to post, including the traditional photo in front of the world map.  :)

T has taken to the sport of soccer (even though he would really rather play basketball or something else, we gather).  He says playing goalie is the safest position for him to play "because if I try to go out and play, I get too frustrated and want to hit someone, and certainly we don't do that at the MTC!"  His companion, Elder Juarez, scored a goal and he said, "It was so awesome.  You better believe I ran out of the box and went crazy for him." 

He has done a lot of ironing in the two weeks he's been there and said, "Mom, when I get home in a few we are most certainly going to talk Spanish, iron shirts and watch 'You've Got Mail.'" He went on to say that he would actually do all of the ironing upon his return.  We'll have to hold him to it.

He loved his package this week and continues to enjoy each and every letter he receives.  His Spanish is coming along pretty well, though the grammar is more of a stretch than the vocabulary.  He spreads the Spanish throughout his letters and usually gives us a scripture, baptismal invitation, his purpose as a missionary (as quoted in "Preach My Gospel"), or the First Vision in Spanish and from memory.  He seems to be doing really well with the language.

Taylor has a good friend, Elder Austin Emch, who entered the MTC the same day.  Austin is in the room next to him and wrote the following to his family:

OH! and this week I went on an Elder Juarez hunt!! He is Elder Taylor Jaussi's companion, he is this cute little Mexican guy who always hates when I give him hugs...... every night. So he hides and I go on a safari hunt to look for him. We recorded it and I'll try to get Elder Neff's family to send it to you. I just looked everywhere for him and gave him a nice big hug and he runs away. And then I reward him with a honey bun for playing. haha its a good time.

 Pretty funny.  They seem to all be doing well and enjoying their experience there.

Taylor had to say good-by to some of his friends who were heading out to the field.  Elder Garrett Burt, a friend from Riverton, left for Norway.  Elders Hermosilla (from Chile) and Elder Sanchez (from Mexico City) left for Boston.  He enjoyed being in the MTC with them.  He tells us that Elder Hermosilla would come in, calling the Americans his "homies" and ask them to teach him English.  He taught them Spanish in return.  Before he left, he came in and asked if he could share his testimony with them in English.  Taylor said he has a very strong testimony--even in English.

Taylor seems to be learning much and adjusting well to the routine of the MTC.  His letters make our day and always bring a smile.