15 de abril, 2013

 

Hola todos!!                                                                                   

Before I start the epistle, I'll try to explain the pictures. I have no explanation of me with the pesos in my eyes... but for the others: Sitting with E. in our America jerseys. They are the rivals of Cruz Azul (my team) and he got really mad when I drew Cruz azul stuff on his Dad's car. His dad loved it but E. told me that I wouldn't be his friend until we took a picture together in America jerseys. So I obliged. The other one is me making empanadas when we went to eat with a member. And yes, that glistening stuff on my face is sweat. It is soooooooooo hot here recently. Yesterday it got up to 43 C or so I heard. Just know, it's hot.

This Friday we have an appointment with some members because they found out it was my birthday. At first, I didn't want anyone to know it was my birthday because I just thought "no, I'm just going to work, dang it!" But then I thought, "no, if I don't do something even for 10 minutes I'm going to feel bad the 20th." Haha  And besides, I need to sharpen the saw like Sean says. I need to have balance in everything I do I reckon. I'm just trying my best not to be too frito on my birthday and make sure that I still work really hard that day. You all have my permission to take a day off that day though, how about that?? jaja

          Thanks for the birthday wishes. I'll be thinking about you guys for sure this Friday.  How great that you will make a cake for me!!!! Yay for Lauren. I'll miss her and her excitement for parties that's for sure. A family here invited us to their house this Friday night though because they found out it was my bday. We'll at least have a little party then :) You know me and parties. I luff them!!!

          The English and piano classes are going pretty well as far as teaching goes. Not so much with investigators and finding though.

Well... I'll admit that this week's epistle was not the best one. Forgeeve me? (nacho accent) I'll be sure to send pictures of the fiesta this week and to write more. I wrote a lot to Presidente. Next week I'll write more to you lovely peeps.

 Love you guys so much!!!!!  Con amor,

Elder Jaussi

Sea feliz, sea Mormón 

 

P.S. Oh yeah... My nephews are so darn cute!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Ah!!!!!!!!!! I want to hug them so bad!!!!! What cuties

 Standing on a street in Escarcega 

 Posing with E. in the American jerseys

 Having empanadas in at the home of a member

Pesos over the eyes.....y quien sabe porque.

 

The cute nephews that Elder Jaussi would love to hug

Livin' On The Edge...of the Mission, That Is

Hola todos!

 This week has been a pretty good one. Being out on the edge of the mission it was hard for us to get to the stake center for conference but luckily we had every session but the priesthood session in our chapel. The only problem was, we had to bring investigators and we were only able to bring investigators in the morning on Sunday. What I saw was good though! Reeeealllly good! (Nacho Accent) Our bus took about 4 hours to get to Campeche, all standing up because they were short one, yes ONE,  seat but we were able to see the last two talks of Priesthood session. President said it was a rule for us to watch it too so I tried to give us enough time to get there before 6 but it was a no go. It really was superb from what I saw though. At one point I was pretty much bawling. I don't know how to explain the feeling. I really haven't ever felt it before. I missed you guys, I was thankful for all the support you always give me, thankful to the Lord for letting me be here, regretful for all the preparation that I didn't do which I should have, happy for experiences I've had so far, and most of all a determined resolution to be better.  I really need to be a better representative for the Lord. One day at a time though, no?

 

This week I did divisions with Elder Hauser from Champotón and it was really what I needed. While we were doing divisions, we contacted a reference we received that morning. An old lady came out and she said she would let us come back another day but then out of nowhere her husband came out. Gulp.  He had his big ol' Bible in his hand and he starts off his very friendly conversation with "My wife is already studying the Bible and we will not study that Book of Mormon you guys have. You always start with the bible and then you go to pure Book of Mormon. That book is awful" And things like that.  Finally, when he let me put in my two pesos I told him "If you let us come back and visit you I'll be really honest, we're going to start with the Book of Mormon and end with it. It is the most correct book, even more than the Bible, and if you haven't read it which I know you haven't you can't know that." I was feeling pretty good about that being said and he just kept going on about how awful us Mormons are and at first I wanted to planch him a bit more but DyC 121 popped into my head about the "reprove betimes with sharpness but then show love" So I just told him that as representatives of Christ we were there to give people the opportunity to accept or decline and that all I would leave him was my testimony. I bore my testimony about the Book of Mormon and it was really great. I didn't feel any burning in my bosom, but I just felt really calm and at peace.   

Also, I have officially started giving English and piano classes. The piano classes have brought more people so far but the English class is mostly members. It can be kind of tough teaching piano in Spanish but I really am grateful Mom that you had me stick through with piano. We have a few investigators that come to the class but so far they haven't shown much interest in the religion. This week I told them all at the end of the class that I would be here for as long as the Lord had me and that if all they learned from me was piano, that was fine but I told them my purpose as a missionary was to invite all to come to Christ. I bore them my testimony of His atonement and invited them to conference. I'm going to keep working with them but as of right now, it's all piano. I've decided at the end of every lesson I'll just share a little scripture though.

 

Oh! I just thought I'd throw it out there that Bro. O'Very looked so good in the Tab choir. What a guy! He looked like he's enjoying it though so good for him! It was also kind of weird seeing a couple of kids that I knew in the priesthood session singing. Crazy stuff.

 

We're still struggling here in Escarcega to have progressing investigators that are close to baptism but we have one who is dating a member who is set to be baptized the 20th. I always worry for the guys that date members though. I really want him to do this for the right reasons. I'll do all I can to help him though. 

 

Well, I luff you guys so much and hope you always remember that.  My hour is already up so I must be obedient and sign off!  Have a great week!

 

Love, Elder Jaussi

 

T and his companion in their "bunk hammocks."  They have to make do in their small quarters. 

 Elder Jaussi borrowed a machete to try to rid their place of a visiting tarantula.  He ended up using a broom to cause the demise of the creature--the machete seemed a bit too short for his liking.

 The invader.....creepy.

 The Elders from Champoton, who also serve in Taylor's district.

New planner..complete with picture of the Savior and a photo of T and his buddies playing basketball on his 19th birthday before his mission.  Kind of random.

This must have been a beautiful site for our missionary....a basketball court complete with lights.  It made enough of  an impression to be worthy of a photo.

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.