25 March 2013

We didn't receive much news from Elder J. today.  It has apparently been a rough week, so he didn't have much to say.  In addition, he and his companion were leaving to travel a couple of hours by bus to Campeche for another conference, making his e-mail time limited.  He did send photos though, and looks as handsome as ever.

 

He did say, "Hey Dad, I just thought I'd let you know that we sang 'Hark All Ye Nations' (in Spanish, of course) and the investigators loved it so much that they are going to use it in their church this Sunday.  I told them that I always think of you when I sing that song because I remember that was the song I most remember you singing (I think it was when you sang in conference) and one that made me love men's choirs."

 



Taylor and companion, Elder C. with a member family, D. & A. and their children.

 Taking a photo with a family of investigators, la familia V. C.

 Rockin' the shades with an investigator, Y.

 Elder Jaussi says he's not too lost anymore in his new city of Escarcega.  It must mean he's becoming a bit more familiar with the area.

Ch, Ch, Ch, Changes.....

This has been a week of transfers.  Taylor is training again. His new companion is Elder C., from Oaxaca, Mexico.  T. says he thinks he is now the only gringo alive on the outskirts of the mission.

 

Elder Jaussi was able to see his trainer, Elder V. one last time before he left to go home.  Looks like he gave him a big "Anaconda Squeeze."

Elders Jaussi and C., new companions.  Taylor says, Elder C. is a "ball of energy," a convert of about 3 years who was able to baptize his two younger sisters before coming on the mission. He is a couple of years older than T. and "is a really good guy."

 Elder Jaussi and Elder R. with a family in Escarcega.  No details given today.

 Taylor was able to visit the temple grounds with his new companion when he traveled to Merida.

 Elder Jaussi on the coast (Gulf of Mexico), presumably on his way to or from Merida.

 Not sure where this was taken.  Elder Jaussi is in the back.  Elder R. is in front.  Mystery Elder is in between....

Taylor said that his trip to Merida last week was for general training of District and Zone leaders.  There was no information given about the upcoming changes in the mission.  He also spoke with Hna. Salinas who told him to go to the pharmacy to get some pills for his stomach.  He hasn't had time to get them but says that he has been doing a lot better this last week.  He says he only drinks bottled or filtered water so he doesn't suspect that has been the problem.

It appears that some of his DearElder letters have been getting through, since he commented on a few of them.  He also informed us that he now can e-mail everyone that he desires.  He agreed to make sure he writes his "epistles" to the family first before writing to the masses.  We will hold him to it.

Transfers

Transfers came a couple of weeks early this time around to adjust for the decreased time that missionaries spend in the MTC.  This is all we received from Elder Jaussi today:

Hey momma and poppa. I don't have much time to write or answer your questions but I'll just say this. I'm training again!  I'm really shocked to be quite honest.  I'll have time to write to you Wednesday I think... But if not I'll for sure talk to you all this next week.

I love you guys!!

Tay

El dia 11 de Marzo, 2013

This week Taylor attended a zone council meeting and was able to see his trainer one last time before he goes home.  The mission transfers have been moved up a couple of weeks to adjust for the change in MTC training time for incoming missionaries.  That means transfers will happen at the end of this week.  He assumes he will stay in Escarsega and hopes that his companion, Elder R., will stay with him a bit longer.

 

Elder Jaussi said he was taught in the zone council about teaching more using the scriptures instead of their own words and that it has paid off in their lessons this week.  In one discussion they were able to answer all of the concerns and questions using the scriptures.  It is sometimes still a challenge to find the verses that come to his mind in his Spanish scriptures but it will come.

 

Below is Taylor's trainer, Elder V. along with Taylor's "brother" (or another new missionary that Elder V. has been training).  Both were trained by the same "father."  It is all mission lingo.

 

Elder Jaussi was leaving today for Merida (a 5-hour bus ride away) to attend a meeting for all District and Zone leaders.  He is thinking he might speak to Sis. Salinas, the mission president's wife, about his stomach issues while he is there.  

Escarsega--Take Two

Elder Jaussi says that this last week "has been quite potente (powerful-awesome, etc.)."  He and Elder R. had more lessons with members than ever before.  They worked hard and it paid off.  Taylor says that he hopes that he doesn't become a missionary solely concerned with numbers but that he is careful always to try and focus on his real purpose as a missionary.

They had a great some great lessons and among them was one they held at the church.  The Spirit was felt very strongly as they started the lesson with Elder Jaussi playing a hymn on the piano.  They taught a very spiritual lesson on the sacrament and he played again, this time a sacrament hymn.

He held his first District meeting and it went well.  The other missionaries in his district have to travel to Escarsega from Champoton--about an hour away for their meeting.  Taylor said, "I have a good district.  They all work really hard...it's nice to have an obedient district."  Elder H. is from Ohio, Elder Y. is from Chihuahua and Elder R. is from Rexburg, Idaho.

Elder Jaussi is pretty sure that he and his companion are the only "gringos" in the city.  Both are tall (6' and 6' 6") and sort of stand out.  He says, "People will always try to say some common phrases to us in English and I then just start talking to them and get all excited and say things like, 'Oh, do you guys know English?  I have been dying to talk with someone in English!'  The look on their faces is priceless."  He is obviously joking with them.  He and his companion have been asked to continue to speak Spanish 24/7 even though both are Americans.

Taylor loves it there already and feels like he is gaining the trust of the members as well as the investigators.  It has quickly become apparent to the members that T has a sense of humor.  He says he "always likes to ease the situation with a little laughing."

Aside from having another night of sickness and lack of sleep this week, all seems to be well.  These are a few photos he sent this week, outside the chapel there in Escarsega.

 

Elder Jaussi at the chapel

Elder R.