P-Day? Again?

January 16, 2012

Hello Family!

Just thought you all would like an English greeting for once! I have to say, it is always nice hearing from you all. Though at the same time, no offense, but this week sounded like you were all kind of bored at home. Though, I know that there are just those kind of weeks. Anyway, things are going well here in Panama. We get to hear from Russel M. Neilsen on Thursday! I know I already told you all, but it´s going to be awesome (I hope). So yeah, this week was fairly normal over here as well. I think my Companion is good and ready for transfers. He says nothing´s wrong, but I can tell he´s sick of me :) Transfers will be not this week, but the next week. I will be staying here in the San Vicente Area, and Elder Tauta will be going somewhere else. So yeah, I´ll be getting my first new Companion. I´ve had Elder Tauta since the beginning, so this is going to be different.

Well, unfortunately I don´t have all too much new to talk about. Well, I guess yesterday was kind of cool. We had a member named George take us all over the place, showing us where people lived out in the middle of nowhere. It was cool, cause we saw a lot of crazy things, like a Terrantula (spelled that wrong), a caterpillar that was bigger than my fingers, an iguana, crazy looking fruit, awesome scenery, and supposedly, there´s an area with a tree that glows at night like on the movie Avatar! All of this awesome stuff, and it was the one day that I didn´t bring my camera with me! So yeah, it´s a bit of a bummer. Also, Mik would have just melted, cause I got to hold 4 day old puppies that were so small they fit in the palm of my hand!

Anyway, none of you need to worry about me out here. The Mission work is going great, and the people here are just awesome. I think that we might have a baptism or two in the comming weeks. All we need is the people to come to Church! So if you wouldn´t mind praying for my investigators, that would be nice. They´re really great people, and I always hate to see good families reject the gospel cause of little things. Speaking of families, make sure you all go to church as well! I don´t want any of you to end up on the Less Active List for the Missionaries :) Also, I´ve been reading Jesus The Christ, and it is a great book. If you haven´t read it, do it, cause it´s really interesting the stuff you learn from it.

Well, I´m running out of time. I love you all!!! Make sure to have fun! Don´t have too many sleep overs, and make sure to take a break once in a while :) Well, Talk to you later!!!

Love Trevor

Russel M. Neilson is coming to speak with us on the 19th!!!!!! YEAH!!!!

January 9, 2012

Hola mi familia!

Well, this week has been a slow one, so I´m really glad that P-Day has finally come! It sounds like things have been crazy for all of you! Work, School, Friends, and everything else! Well, I just hope that you are are doing well. Like I said, things over here have been kind of slow. We´ve just had a hard time with appointments and lessons falling through. You think the work would go well in a nation where everyone believes in Jesus, but it´s the exact opposite! People don´t listen to you, because supposedly the Bible says that their religion is the only correct one, or because "feeling the spirit" is when The Holy Ghost posesses you and makes you speak rubbish! Sometimes the people here frustrate me! Though, at the same time, it´s the people that make this place any good. The Members here freakin rock! They help with the Mission work so much, and they are very strong people with strong testimonies! So yeah, sometimes Panama is really great, and at others it really stinks!
Anyway, things are going well. We don´t have changes until the 24th, I think. That, and Russel M. Neilson is coming to speak with us on the 19th!!!!!! YEAH!!!! It´s going to be awesome! I can´t wait for it! Also, Elder Tauta is very excited cause he gets to sing a Solo when Russel M. Neilson comes to speak. So yeah, that will be fun.
Well, all of you seemed to ask alot about my Spanish and how the New Year is going. First of all, my Spanish is okay. I´m still having a hard time understanding some things, but it will come. Spanish is difficult, but I´m getting used to it. Anyway, the New Years Eve was cool. It was just like Christmas, just with more fireworks and less presents! Over here, people love their fireworks! Luckily, the children don´t throw them at me! They do throw them at eachother though. Stupid Kids!
Well, I hope everything is going well for all of you! Make sure to keep yourselves busy! It´s much more fun when you have something to do!
So yeah, I don´t have much time left. I love you all!!! I look forward to hearing from you all next week!

Love Trevor

Short But Schweet!

January 2, 2012

FELIZ AÑO NUEVO!!!!

HAPPY NEW YEARS EVERYONE!!!

Last Month in Training!

January 2, 2012

Hola,

Another great week here in Panama, and I find myself writing you all again! Wow, time is going by really fast! I found out the other day, that this is my last month in Training, and it got me both excited and nervous. The excited part, is because that means that I´m no longer going to be in Training, and I get another change in San Vicente! The Nervous part, is that President told me that I´m going to have a Latin Companion who doesn´t speak English! I know that it will be good for helping me learn Spanish, but I´m really nervous, because it´s going to be a whole different world living with someone who I can barely communicate with. Well, the Latin companions are supposedly the best teachers of the gospel in the Mission, but they aren´t as good with obeying the rules as the Amercans are. I know that sounds racist, but President even said that Latin Comps. are some of the best, and some of the laziest Missionaries in the Mission. So yeah, we will see!
Anyway, this week has been pretty good. It´s a little sad cause we had to drop a family this week because they weren´t keeping any of the commitments, but hopefully we will find more positive families to teach. Right now we have a few people who we are teaching who are really positive. We just need them to accept a baptismal date, and all will be great! We think that we might be able to set a baptismal date for 2 families, and 3 other people in the next week or two. So I´m really excited about that! On the other hand, we started contacting in a new neighborhood, and it´s a tough one. The people there are rock solid Catholics who know nothing about the Bible!!!! This one guy told us that we don´t believe in Christ, we preach evil, and that the Bible says that the Catholic Church is the only true Church. The word "Catholic" doesn´t ever appear in the Bible! Not even once!!! Well, I don´t like Bible Bashing, but I have to say, it´s not a hard thing to do here...
Well, sorry everyone, but I don´t have much time this week. I had some computer problems, so I have to cut it short this week. I hope you are all doing okay! Tell Cody and Kamille that I hope they get feeling better! I love hearing from all of you and can´t wait to hear from you next week! Love you all! Have fun! Til Next Time!

Love Trevor

P.S. Sorry, no pics this week, I don´t have my SD card with me!

The work is good, and The Church is True!!!

December 26, 2011

Hola!

Well, this one´s probably going to be a little shorter cause I talked to you all yesterday. Yeah, it was really great being able to talk to all of you. I wish that I just had a lot of time to ask each of you questions! Despite talking for that long time, there´s still things I want to talk about. Though, it sounds like you are all doing well. Though after Chris´ comment about our friends, I´m kind of worried about all of them. The only friends I´ve heard from are Chris Abbott and John. So I only know a little bit of what´s going on with all of them. Luckily though, I get to talk to you all every week! So make sure to tell me how things are going! Also, if you ever have any questions, feel free to ask me about ANYTHING! So don´t be afraid to bug me with anything. I like to hear everything! Family events, stories, problems, concerns, new stuff, friends, ANYTHING! Plus, I just love hearing from you all! Well, I do have a few items of business to take care of. First of all, I need an E-mail address for Chris, cause I got a message that said that Chris´ email doesn´t exist or function anymore. So Chris, send me a new e-mail address please! Second, all of you feel free to use my stuff. I was kind of being picky before. Use the games, the technology, the 3DS (just don´t lose it or break it please), and whatever else you want to use. Third, tell everyone to write me! In the Mission, I´ve heard from John, Chris A, Uncle, Uncle Paul Petersen, Grandma, Sam Parker, and the Cards that were signed by the Family. So just tell everyone that I would love to hear from them. The only problem is that it´s not easy for me to respond to people...

Anyway, sorry for the list of things. So yeah, I hope you all have a good time! The work is good, and The Church is True!!! Also, if you ever have questions in life, the scriptures are a good place to look for answers! Well, I love you all! Talk to you later!

Love, Trevor

More Panama Pics!

December 26, 2011

Here are some Pics! Enjoy! Uh... I´m not sure if this computer is working properly, cause I don´t think that it actually attatched the photos... Tell me if you don´t get them!

PANAMA!!! Enjoy the Photos!

Hola mi familia!

Wow, we´ve got a whole lot of things going on this week! I´m not even sure what to write about, there´s just so much! First of all, Chris is going to be home this Wednesday!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! IT´S JUST CRAZY!!!!! Wow!!!! I can´t believe he´s already going to be home. Chris, I can´t believe you´re already going to be home! Actually, when you read this, you will be home!!!! WOAH!!!! I´m just having way to much fun with this :) Well, that means that I only have 20 months left, which means I´ve already served 1/6 of my Mission! There´s just no way all of this is possible. I feel like a Greenie still. That, and my Spanish is HORRIBLE!!! Anyway, enough of the bold text and exclamation marks. How´s everything going at home? Sounds like you´ve all been preparing for Chris to come home, and for Christmas. Sounds like it´s going to be fun! Oh, by the way, sorry my e-mail is a day late, I wasn´t in the area yesterday. We went to an Island yesterday, and when we came back, there weren´t any buses back home. So we had to walk, and find someone to give us a ride back to the city. It was crazy. For this adventure, we left our house at 4 AM, and we didn´t get home until 9 PM. So we had a bit of a hard time with travels, but it was all cool. I´ll make sure to send you some pics with this e-mail. So yeah, we also had our Christmas Party today, and it was awesome! We had a lot of fun, and I got to talk with an Elder from my MTC District. It´s sad, cause I found out that Elder Hummel went home. He just couldn´t handle the mission and the spanish, so he went home. I hate it when Missionaries go home. The Mission is hard, but it´s definately worth it! The Mission is about serving the People, and serving the Lord. We are here as Missionaries to share something wonderful with these people, and to help them to receive the same blessings that we have as members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, (or as they say in Panama, La Iglesia de Jesucristo de Los Santos de Los Ultimos Dias.)

Anyway, we already had our Christmas party, so there´s just one problem I have. I received one of your packages, so I took it to my house and the problem is that I find it staring at me all of the time. It´s kind of distracting having a package staring at you when you are trying to study, so I´m not sure if it will remain un-opened until Christmas, but we´ll see!

Time for answers for questions! I really like this part! First of all, yes Mik, it is Michael Mclain :) Second, I just want my friend´s email, so I can confirm with them when I get/send mail. That, and I might start my blog soon, so also to forward my blog message to them, so thanks Mik! Which leads to Mom´s questions, sure, you can put these on the blog if you want, but I will try to start writing a brief message for the blog each week. So look forward to that :) Also, my fridge still doesn´t work, but we don´t need one, cause I never eat at home anyway, so no worries okay? :) Okay Dad´s turn! Thanks for the Skype name, I will hopefully be Skyping you either Christmas or Christmas Eve. It depends on if a member has a computer or not. If not, we will have to Skype on Christmas Eve, cause I will have to go to an Internet Cafe in Albrook Mall. I will likely give you guys a phone call later this week to confirm our Skype time! So keep you´re phones on hand! So yeah, things are good here, but I´m a little concerned about some things at home, cause I heard that cousin James´ Dad died. Hopefully he´s okay. He´ll be in my prayers. Anyway, I hope you all have a great week, and a Merry Christmas! Also, Chris, have fun at home! I´m sure you´re going to have many things to catch up on (movies, sleep, etc). I´ll write you an RM Guide to Modern life! Well, I´ve got to go now. I love you all! MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!! Enjoy the Pics! I´ll send more next time!

Love, Trevor

HOLY COW CHRIS!!! YOU´RE GOING HOME!!!!!

December 12, 2011

Hola Mi Familia,

Well, I have to say, finally had a week that seemed like it took forever to get over with! It´s probably because I got sick again! It kinda felt like the flu, but without much puking... So yeah, enough about being sick! I´m actually feeling quite well right now, so no worries! Anyway, this week was just crazy as always. We found another investigator family, and they are awesome! I just hope that they accept it all! Here in Panama, our Mission Pres is always emphasizing that we should find families to teach, because families are central to God´s Plan, and are more likely to stay active in the Gospel. Anyway, the only problem with that family is that the husband likes to hide from us. I think it´s because he has an inappropriate tattoo, but it could just be that he´s shy. Well, as long as this week felt, nothing really eventful happened, but the work is still going quite well, and the Lord is blessing us a lot as we work here in San Vicente. So yeah, the work´s going good!!! By the way, I got mail today!!!! I was so excited!! I got a letter from John, Chris A, and Jake & Debb. I love that I got mail, but those are some of the people who I wrote three weeks ago, and I haven´t had to opportunity to send my letters.... So now I have to write new letters!!! In Panama, sending mail is frustrating, but on the other hand, receiving mail is nice :) So yeah, it was nice to hear from all of them. I saw a date on the letter from Chris Abbott, and he sent it on the 16th of November!!! So it really takes a while for mail to get here!!! Also, Debb and Jake sent me a photo of Asher, and he´s growing up!!! I showed it to all of the missionaries, and they all love his deep-blue eyes! He´s going to be a lady´s man in high school! :) Anyway, sounds like things are going well for all of you! Also sounds like you´re getting ready for Christmas! FUN!!! Which also means that you´re getting ready for Chris to come home!!! HOLY COW CHRIS!!! YOU´RE GOING HOME!!!!! That´s so crazy! You´re already finishing with the work, and I´m sure that you´ve learnded a lot during your time as a Missionary. Though you only have a little time left, you need to make sure to go all the way to the finish line! No being all ponchera (lazy, trunky, disobedient, etc) okay? :) Though I can´t talk much. I had about 5 minutes of trunky-ness this last week. We were looking at camera´s, cause mine broke, and Elder Bradford says, "hey, what´s that?" So I turn around, and to my suprise, right behind us is the 3DS booth. So I told him what it was, and now he wants one. But I found out that a lot of great games have come out for the 3DS, which made me a little trunky. So I looked over to Elder Tauta, and told him that I needed to get out of the store, cause it was making me trunky! So yeah, I like video games and all, but I think I can wait another 20 months for that! I find that in the mission, I don´t really think about that stuff very often. I´m way to busy during the day to even think about many things. So I´m all good.

Anyway, time to answer some questions! First of all, I have no idea when, or where, I will be Skyping you guys. So I´ll try to figure that out this week. Also, send me you´re Skype name, address, or whatever it is that I need to Skype with you all. I can´t wait to talk with you all on Christmas!!! I´m Excited!!! Also, everything´s just fine with me. The Parrot that bit me was tiny, so it didn´t even leave a mark. So yeah, it sounds like you all enjoyed my e-mail last week, but it sounds like I confused you a bit as well. When I was talking about walls, I really meant steep hills! And YES, Papaya´s are nasty! Also, the children here remind me of the times playing with the cousins, and it´s really fun at times. Well, I always feel so bad, cause once I get to this part of the email, I forget the questions :( Well, I did get a camera this week, but I´m going to return it, cause I got the wrong one... So yeah, I´m working things out over here. Also, thanks for sending Christmas packages! I don´t know when I will get them, but thanks for sending them, and the pics I requested! Well, I don´t have much time left. I just feel horrible that I spent so much time talking about my week, and so little time answering your questions. SORRY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! So how are things going for all of you? For all of you at home, how was the Forgotten Carols? I love that music!!! Also, Chris, sounds like Chaz is freakin awesome! I want an investigator like him!!! Anyway, tell me how you´re doing! I love to hear all of your stories, and experiences. Wait! Before I go, Christmas here in Panama is strange. First of all, this time of year, everyone paints their house, which is weird. For Christmas, people decorate their doors, and put up Christmas lights. Some people have Christmas trees, but not everyone. Well, I´ll tell you more next time! Tell me how you´re all doing! Can´t wait to hear from you next week! LOVE YOU ALL!!!! Til next time!!!

Love Trevor - P.S. Mik, could you send John and Chris Abbott my email please? Thanks!

Battle Star Galactica Recap Letter...

December 5, 2011

 

Hola!

I think I might do this one like a Battle Star Galactica recap!

This week in the Panama Mission:

Things are still great, though my shower is still cold. Everyone here got sick, I´m a little too familiar with the bathroom now. Feeling better at the moment, though still disappointed that the computer can´t read my SD Card. I want to send Photos really bad. The Mission Work is going well. We found a guy with a strong testimony named Joseph. He came to Church, but we think he might just want money. The Ruiz Family is doing great. The wife´s really happy, cause there´s a bun in the toaster :) The Castillo Family is doing great. She keeps giving us Papayas. I hate Papayas. We also Bible Bashed with some Testigos (Jehova´s Witnesses). Elder Tauta machettied them. Lots of animals in my path. Faught off angry chihuahuas. I caught a little lizard, and a parrot bit me. Saw a giant spider in the road last night. Freaky. The little children here in Panama love me. All they know how to say is "How are you?" in english. We met an awesome family. They´re members of the Church. They say they live on a hill. Elder Tauta says they live on a wall. Church was good this week. I taught the class. There are many confused Members now. I´m confused as well. Mowed someone´s lawn with a machette. I got my first sun-burn in Panama. Very Hot outside. Prayed for clouds. Prayer answered. Today is P-Day. Writing all of you. Love it!

Anyway! Did you enjoy my re-cap? Yeah, this week was pretty crazy, but all is well. We met a lot of great people this week! I just hope they all get baptized!!! Well, yeah, I don´t seem to have too much time left, so I have to type quick. First, Grandma, thanks for writing. It was good to hear that you and all of the cousins are doing well, and that they are growing so fast. It was also great to hear that Grandpa is doing well. Let everyone know that I´m praying for them. Also, it´s great to hear that Lily is going to be baptized! That´s awesome! Anyway, to answer some group questions. I´m staying very healthy here in Panama. I eat a LOT OF FOOD!!! In fact, last night I ate rice with sardines! It actually wasn´t that bad, but it made my breath stink! So yeah, I´m doing fine. Mom, I think I have a blog name. I think I want to call it "Army of Heleman". I guess first I need to write a blog though. Anyway, all is well. I already told you that my camera died, but I´m more sad, cause the Memory card with the baptism pics of Amy Rodriguez got corrupted and lost the pics! I wasn´t happy about that at all. Luckily though, I have most of my pics backed up to another memory card, but I still lost that baptism :( Anyway, Mom; Dad, Chris, Mik, the mission work is going great here! Sorry if I didn´t answer your questions directly. Remind me in your messages next week if you still have a question I didn´t answer! I Would check your messages, but I don´t have much time, and these computers are deadly slow!!! So yeah, I also realized this week, that I don´t have a picture of the family! So could you please send me a pic of the family........and Pogo! Well, I have to go now. Have a great time! Also.......HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM!!!!!!!!!!!!! WHOOT!!!!!! Did you get my b-day e-mail? Hopefully you did. Well, Love you all!!!!!!! Bye!!!!

Love Trevor

Happy Birthday Message to Mom!

December 5, 2011

 

FELIZ CUMPLIAÑOS!!!!!

Happy Birthday Mom! I know that your birthday isn´t for another few days, but I thought that I would write you a special birthday message anyway! I just want you to know that I love you very much, and think of you often. It´s a whole lot easier to be a good missionary when you were raised by a good mother. It´s especially easy for me to think of you right now, because your Birthday is on Dec. 7 and Dia de Madres (Panamanian Mothers Day), is on Dec. 8. So, trust me when I say that you are on my mind alot :) It has also reminded me that I am like one of the 2000 Stripling Warriors! All of them were strong in Heart, Might, Mind, and Strength, and it was all because they had been taught by their Mothers. So right now, I find that I am especially thankful for you! You have raised me well, and now I am able to share that love with the People of Panama!

Well, I just want to wish you a Happy Birthday! Make sure to do something fun, and eat lots of cake! Also, remember that you´re still only 29 years old, so you´re definately not too old to have some fun :) So have a Happy Birthday!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I love you very much!!! Stay safe! Have Fun!

Love, Trevor

This Week in Panama...

November 28, 2011

Hola mi Familia,

Wow! This again! I find myself here at the Internet place writing you all again! The Mission is going by way too fast! Sometimes I feel like the week only has 4 days: Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and Monday. The rest is a blur of crazy Panamanian madness! So yeah, this week was actually pretty-good. We're still working with a couple families, but we're having a hard time getting them to progress. They just need to go to church! Well, that and accept baptism. Other than that, this week we have run into a lot of crazy people! Like this one lady who's name is America. She doesn't believe in the Book of Mormon, because she believes that there weren't people in the Americas during the time that Christ was on the Earth. She says that Latinos were the first people here! We couldn't believe it, especially seeing as there are many Native Americans in Panama that are called Cuna!!! I haven't met a Cuna yet, but I hear that they are really awesome people. Also, get this, the Cuna have their own stories about a white savior that visited them a long time ago, and they believe that he will come and visit them again. So they already knew about The Savior before they had the Bible or Book of Mormon!!! It's so cool!!!! So for the Cuna, the Book of Mormon is the record of their people. Which is really cool, because almost 100% of the Cuna people in Panama, are LDS!!!

Anyway, enough about the Cuna! Let's see, how to describe Thanksgiving here in Panama... Well, the Mission Home didn't do anything for Thanksgiving, because it's not a holiday here in Panama, but my Comp. Elder Tauta, told all of the members that cook for us, that it was Thanksgiving. So we had an okay Thanksgiving. I have to say, some members feed us like it's Thanksgiving everyday, which actually is a bad thing, cause I can't eat that much rice, beans, and chicken!!! So I always feel bad when I can't finish a meal, especially because Elder Tauta always finishes his meal! It's even gotten to the point where the members are starting to give me less food, which I like alot :) Anyway, we will be having a Christmas Party with the Mission Pres, his wife, and the other missionaries the week of Christmas!!! I've heard that it's going to be awesome! So yeah, I'm going to start singing Christmas Carols on the Bus!!!

So yeah, no need to worry about me when it comes to Christmas here in Panama! I'm all set!

Anyway, this week has been a good one. We had the baptism of Amy Rodriguez this Saturday, which was great! She's one of those golden investigators who accepts the Gospel and it's teachings without any problem! So she's really happy to be a member now! As far as other people go, like I said before we have 2 families that we are teaching, and they're great, but they need to actually come to church. Which it's not even that far from their homes. Though, it's also hard to attract people to our chapel because it's just part of a building. So it's between a Taxi business and the Internet buisness. Anyway, I feel bad, cause I don't have a real good spiritual experience to share this week besides the baptism. Sorry!

Well, it sounds like everything is going well for all of you. Except Chris, I didn't hear from you!!! I really don't like my email!!! So yeah, it sounds like you all had a great Thanksgiving. I hope it was fun for all of you! Also, it's good to hear that you got a new car Mom! Hopefully it stays alive a little longer than the Taurus did! Yeah, but I don't know about a stick shift...no me gusta! (It doesn't please me) Just Kidding! Well Mom, thanks to Elder Tauta, Thanksgiving was actually kinda fun! So no worries okay? :) Anyway, to answer some questions. None of you need to worry about the fridge situation. Most people only have freezers anyway. That, and we just use the fridge as a cupboard for all of our non-cold food items. So all is well :) Also, Dad, your description of The Philipines actually fits Panama very well, cause the houses here aren't nice at all. They have made of cinderblocks, have dirt floors, no windows, tin roofs (which are really loud when it rains), though almost everyone has water, but most people have to wait for a water truck to come around each week to fill up their water tank. So yeah, most houses around here aren't that nice. One of the Families we are working with said that they bought their house for 2 thousand (US). So yeah, it's crazy down here! Also Mik, hanging out with John eh? How was that? Hopefully you are all making sure to have fun!!! Well, I have to go now! I love you all very much! I look forward to writing you all again next week, and hopefully we will go to the Internet cafe with SD card adapters so I can send pics!!! Well, I love you all! Talk to you later!

Love Trevor

Hola otra vez!

November 21, 2011

Hola mi Familia,

Didn´t I just do this yesterday? Seems like it, but I guess yet another week has gone by, and here I find myself writing again! Well, your letters to me this week didn´t really say anything about what you´ve all been doing. So I don´t know what to write :( I did get a short story from Chris, and it sounds like Elder/Brother Golden(can´t remember which one it is) was very cool. It sounds like it was a great experience! I´m jealous! So far, we haven´t had anyone come and speak do us here in Panama. Oh well... Also, I didn´t receive a message from Dad this week. What´s up with that? Nah, it´s okay, my email has many problems! I don´t like it very much!!!
Anyway, I guess I´ll answer more questions from last week´s messages.
First up: MY HOUSE:
My house is small, and when we got there it was really dirty. It had lanolium floors (no idea how to spell that), but most of the flooring has been torn up. My house has 2 rooms and a bathroom. The windows aren´t actually windows, they are patterns cut into the bricks, and many things come in those holes! I´ve had many things in my house, like spiders, giant ants, wasps, unknown insects, and a bat! There are giant spiders in some places in panama, but all of the ones in my house are small, but creepy! Also, at my house, we have to turn off the water every night, and when we go out. Which leads me to the bathroom! Our toilet is small, and it doesn´t have a toilet seat. Then we have the thing that I hate here in Panama.....Cold Showers!!!!. First of all, we don´t have much water pressure, second, no actual shower head, and third, it´s REALLY COLD!!! Some days, I ask why we even have a shower, because it rains HARD, and it rains EVERY DAY :) I actually like that part of Panama! My first week here, I didn´t have an umbrella, so my comp. and I got soaked! It was fun!!! Anyway, to continue, the fridge doesn´t work, so everything is in the freezer. So some mornings my milk is frozen solid :( Also, my favorite thing in the house is our fan! We keep it on at night while we sleep, and it is AMAZING!!!
Anyway, enough about my house! This week has been a rollercoaster of crazyness! The begining of the week was pretty good. We are teaching 2 families and I think 5 or 6 other people regularly. The families are awesome! I´m really hoping that they will be baptized soon! We do have another baptism this week. She is a 17 year old girl named Amy Rodriguez. She´s a great investigator! She loves what we teach, and knows that it is true. So she´s really easy to teach! Also, I´m sure that you would find it interesting that she is part Panamanian, and part Chinese! Yeah, it´s funny, there´s actually alot of Chinese people here in Panama. In fact, ALL of the stores are owned by Chinese people, so the people here call the stores Chinos! Anyway, I´m excited for yet another baptism!
Well, I want to share more stories, but I´m running out of time! So tell me, how are you all doing? Everything still good at home? Do anything cool lately? Spiritual Experiences? I want to hear it all!!! I love hearing from all of you, and trust me when I say that I even love to hear the little things! Also, it´s kind of random, but I got a Dear Elder from Sam Parker before I even sent my Mission Address. Could you ask her how she did it? I want to tell the Family and Friends how to do it as well. Anyway, I love you all very much, and I can´t wait to hear from you next week! ¡Hasta Luego!

Con Amor, Trevor

First Baptism This Week!!!

November 14, 2011

 

Hola mi familia,

Hey everyone, it feels like I just did this yesterday, but I´m glad that I can write you again. Things are going well here in Panama. We had our first baptism this week!!! Her name is Ilda Urunaga, and she was baptized this last saturday! Her story is really cool, because she actually took lessions 2 years ago, but her parents didn't allow her to be baptized. So for the past 2 years, she has just been attending church and reading the Book of Mormon, but on the 10th, she turned 18. So she really wanted to be baptized, so Elder Tauta and I set up her baptism! It was awesome, and lot's (relatively) of members showed up and supported her. She wasn't baptized by Elder Tauta or I. She was baptized by a member who goes by the nick-name "Pepe". I found out that Missionaries here actually aren't supposed to baptize unless we have to. We're supposed to see if they would like a member to do it first. That way, there's a stronger connection with the members and the person being baptized. I almost had to do it though, because Pepe got caught up in traffic! I was so worried that I ended up memorizing the baptismal ordanance in Spanish in only 10 minutes :) So yeah, it's crazy! Anyway, I got a lot of questions from you all about my area. So here goes. My house is in a town called San Vicente. So you can probably look it up on google maps and see satelite photos! Here, we go everywhere by Taxi or by Bus. Most of the Buses here are called "Diablo Rojos" (Red Devils). They have cool paintings all over them, and they have crazy loud stereo systems. Also, they have custom lights all over the outside of the bus, so they look really cool at night! So yeah, Taxi's are expensive, but you can ride a Diablo Rojo for as long as you want for only 25 cents! Panama is weird, because many things are cheaper here, but I think food is more expensive! I bought a box of cereal for $4... Anyway, my area is really good, but it is huge! So it's hard for us to work, because we have 3 towns (at least) in our area, and Elder Tauta and I are the only missionaries in our area! Though, on P-days we meet with the Zone and do things like play soccer, eat food, or go to random caves with a forest guide. Let's see, more about here. Everyone here has dogs! They're everywhere! It's sad, because most of them are really hungry. Mik would just melt if she saw some of the puppies here! That and there's many other animals. The frogs here make sounds that sound like they are being made by a cell phone or a video game of some sort. Also, the other day I saw a sloth! it was crawling to find shelter from the rain. So I stopped and took pictures of it. Unfortuately, that drew a crowd of people around the sloth, and suddenly the people started trying to pull it off of the bush that it was hiding in. Apparently, the people said that they are endangered, and that they wanted to save it from dogs. So yeah, a bunch of crazy Panamanians saved a sloth, and I have pictures :) Anyway, I'm running out of time. I'll tell you more next time! It was great hearing from all of you! Mik, sounds like you had fun at the aquarium! Chris, that baptism sounds crazy, but Chaz sounds cool! Mom, Dad, I'm doing just fine here in Panama, and I'm trying to think of what to do for Christmas, so I'll get back to you on that. Sorry that I didn't talk directly to you all that much. I'm terrible! Well, before I go, I have a few things. Please forward this to grandma, my e-mail is being stupid and won't put in her address. Next. I have my Mailing Address, I'll send it in a seperate e-mail. Also, I hope grandpa is doing alright after surgery. Tell everyone I said hi. Well, I love you all very much, and can't wait to hear from you next week! LOVE YOU!!!

Con Amor, Trevor

Hola From Panama!!!!

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Monday, November 7, 2011 1:30 PM

Hola mi Familia!

Well, I finally get to write you! Whoot!!!! I have to say that I am a little bummed though, because I found out that I still only get 30 minutes to write, which stinks! That, and these computers are very slow, so it took a while just to log on. Anyway, things are pretty good here in Panama. The missionary work is going a little slow though, because we have to re-open this area. So it is a slow start, but things are good. My trainer/companion is named Elder Tauta. He is half sumoan and half tongan. He is a great trainer so far, and he is a very cool person. So yeah, right now, I am in an area called San Becenta (I think), and it is far away from the city, so it's a jungle out here! It kind of worried me at first, being out in the boonies, but the people here are REALLY NICE!!! Most of our neighbors are members, so it's like a little provo around my house! Also, I want you to know that the members feed us well.....too well!!! They give us HUGE portions of everything, so I go away stuffed to the point where I almost feel sick! Also, I have eaten just about anything they have put in front of me, which includes: rice, chicken, pork, grilled banana-like stuff, some kind of bean, actual beans, beef, pasta, hot dogs, tortilla chips, salsa, hogi-sandwich with everything on it, and more! So yeah, despite being in a somewhat poor country, they are trying to make me fat! So yeah, the members are nice, but I feel bad because most of the time, I have no idea what they are saying. Spanish here is FAR DIFFERENT than at the MTC. I feel like the missionary off of "The best two years". Anyway, things are good. Since today is P-Day, we got to go on a little trip in the Jungle! I walked through a river, down some rocks, and into a cave! It was awesome! I took some pictures, but it will be a while before I can send any. Which reminds me, handwritten mail takes about 2 weeks between here and America. Also, don't use the pouch mail, it's even slower. Also, if you send any packages, put lots of stickers of the Savior on them, so they don't get stolen!!! Anyway, | have to go. I love you all and hope that you are all doing well at home. Also, Chris, keep up the good work! It's tough stuff! Well, I love you all!!! Have fun!!

Love, Trevor

El Fin del CCM (The End of the MTC)

October 27, 2011 Hola Mi Familia! Como estan? I hope things are going well for you all at home right now! As for things here at the MTC, all is well. My whole district is just off the wall excited about getting out to Panama and Hondoras (I'm sure I spelled that wrong). So yeah, things are crazy right now. I've started packing, and I'm getting ready to teach to the people of Panama! Honestly I'm very nervous right now. My Spanish is okay, but I'm having a hard time with Present and Past Subjunctive as well as other things like Relatives. So I'm sweating up a storm when it comes to Spanish! Though, I have to sat that things are going to be alright once I get out to Panama. My only real fear is that the MTC didn't really help me when it comes to food. It seems like each meal here has an 85% chance of containing chicken, so yeah, I havent learned to eat too much. Anyway, this is my final e-mail from the MTC. I am very excited for this Monday. I will be leaving for the airport around 6:00 AM, and my Flight leaves Salt Lake City around 9:50 AM. So I believe that if everything goes to plan, I will be able to call you sometime between 7:30AM-8:30AM. I just need to make sure that I don't miss my flight to Georgia. I arrive in Georgia at 3:35 PM and leave at 5:50 PM, so I might be able to call you again, but I don't know when, because I don't know the time conversion from Utah to Georgia. After that, I will arrive in Panama at 9:08PM. It's going to be one LONG day!!! I've heard that I might get the opportunity to write a quick e-mail once I arrive, but I'm not sure. So yeah, that's my travel plans! I'm going to be buying a phone card at the Book Store today, so I hope it comes with instructions, cause I've never used one before... Anyway! I'm going to be sending a package. Mom, you need to tell me when you will be moving, because I know the lease went til sometime in October (I think). So to be safe, I'm probably going to send my package to Dad's house. It will have 2 sketchbooks, an old scripture bag, my SD card of the MTC, other stuff I don't need, and a Panama Shirt! So make sure to share everything and copy the photos from my SD card to your computers, and my Hard-Drive! Also, Thanks for the package! Unfortunately, I can't listen to the music here at the MTC, but I should be able to listen to it in Panama (hopefully). Also, thanks for the candy and SD cards! By the way, you won't be able to send me any food in Panama. It's Prohibited for some reason. So yeah, it stinks! Well, I don't have too much time left. It's good to hear that everyone is keeping busy at home. Tell Uncle Paul congratz on the engagement for me! Hey Chris, it's great to hear that there are golden investigators like Chaz out there! It sounds like everythings going well for you in the field! It's just crazy to me, that you're going to be home in 2 months, and I'm going to have 20 more months of my mission! I hope I get to Skype you all on Christmas!!!! Well, sorry that I haven't been to personal with this e-mail. Travel planning has gotten me all excited and nervous!!! I'm just thankful for you all! You have all made my stay at the MTC very comfy and enjoyable! Tell Grandma thanks as well! I can't wait to talk to you all soon! This whole experience has been going by so fast, that I feel I won't have enough time to teach the people in Panama! Well, I've got to go now! Love you all !!!! Love, Trevor

Ah, I love that dog!

October 20, 2011 Hola mi Familia, Well, it has been yet another great week here at the MTC, and it feels like I just wrote you all yeterday! Yup, time flies like crazy here at the MTC! Entonces...(So...)...yeah, not much new to report. The Travel Plans were supposed to come in today, but so far, there is nothing. Everyone in my District is getting very, VERY excited about going to Panama and Honduras. I think I'm one of the only ones who hasn't just about crapped myself, (sorry for the image),over getting our travel plans. It's just a piece of paper that tells you when you leave, and what airplanes you will be on. I'm more excited about the opportunity to call you all while I'm at the airport. I will most likely end up calling you during one of our layovers between flights, because most districts, so far, have had their flights at 3 or 4 AM. So I have no idea when I will be calling you yet. I'm also trying to decide which phone to call. I'm thinking that I will probably call Dad's phone, because I think it has the best speakerphone capabilities. Honestly, I don't care who's phone it is, just as long as you are all there when I call. I want to hear from all of you very much. Sorry Chris, but I don't think I'll be able to call you unless you can work something out and get my a phone number by next Thursday. So yeah, next week, I will only be able to read your e-mails and respond. So I will give you the exact details next Thursday for sure! But yeah, your next e-mails to me, will be the last ones that I will read here at the MTC. It's crazy, right?!?! Anyway, it sounds like you are all doing well. Though, it's weird to find out that I've already missed so many birthdays! Also, yes, I did get your handwritten letters (Dad and Mik), and I think that's funny that Pogo is already anticipating Christmas! That dog just loves presents! Ah, I love that dog! Well, so far I haven't received the package from you yet. I got one from Grandma with a letter and some candy which was nice! I've got a feeling though, that it will be harder for people to send me messages and packages once I'm in Panama. By the way, Chris, have you ever thought about sending an angry/demanding facebook post for Mom or Dad to put up? It's a great way to get the friends to write you "dearelders"!!! I'm kinda mean, and guilt-trip my friends into writing me, but hey, I need something to do on P-Days right? Anyway, enough about me! How is everyone doing? Staying busy? Having Fun? Sounds like there's been a lot of birthdays lately. Tell everyone I love them and that I said "Hi". Quickly, I must answer your questions! Let's see... From Mik, the joke about Elder Dunn was because he declared World War 3 in our classroom the other day with the loudest, stinkiest fart ever, and no more than 2 seconds later, one of our branch presidents and his wife walked right in! It was very embarassing,but funny at the same time! Also, Mik, I'm sure your spanish is fine. Chris, it sounds like you have a golden investigator! My investigators are fake at the moment, and I still wish that I had an investigator like that!!! Also, yes, I get along with my companion quite well. The only downside is that he loves to sing country music all of the time. Which reminds me that I got to hear Journey today, because someone was playing it on the radio at a shack on the way back from the Temple. Anyway! Si, yo estoy feliz! ( Yes, I am happy!) How can I not be after hearing from Richard G. Scott this week!!! He is now my favorite apostle! I don't have time to describe it, but I'll share it with you later. Mom, Dad, unfortunately "no" I wont be able to see you at the airport, but I will be able to call. Sorry I can't answer more questions. I'm officially overtime! I love you all! Can't wait to hear from you! Bye! Love, Trevor

I'm flying on Halloween!

October 13, 2011 Hola Mi Familia! Once again, I have the great opportunity to write you this week! I'm always excited to hear from you all, and I love to hear how things are going for you. I enjoy writing you all so much, though, my e-mail looks all glitchy once again, so it's kind of hard to use my e-mail right now. That, and I didn't recieve an e-mail from Dad again. Sorry if you sent me an e-mail and I didn't get it. The MTC computers really stink! So does Elder Dunn, but that's a story for later in the e-mail :) Well, this week at the MTC has been good. Last week, it was raining, and it was cold, but this week has been nice and sunny! Whoot! Though it really stinks, because from October - April, all of the Missionaries are required to wear their suit jackets! I only have 2 pairs of pants that match my suit jacket, so yeah.... Somedays I don't match :) Anyway, things are pretty good here. Sometimes the MTC is like a Spanish Soap Opera, just without all of the immoral stuff. It seems that everyone here is having trouble with something whether is is their companion, sickness, writing their girlfriends, etc. So yeah, more drama than I ever expected. Well, I also found out some info about my travel plans. I will be recieving my travel plans next week on Thursday! Though I have to wait for that, I already know when I'm leaving. I will be heading out to Panama on Oct. 31. So I'm flying on Halloween! Whoot! I'm totally going to dress up as a Missionary! Yeah, it's going to be fun, though, I feel like I just got here. That, and my Spanish is no where near what I want it to be. Entonces...(So...), I also found out that I will likely have some time to call you on the phone while I'm at the airport!!! So, I need to buy a pre-paid phone card from the bookstore! So, I will have to get with you on when, and what phone, I will be calling. You will need to send me an e-mail with the phone number as well. Anyway! I'm sorry I haven't sent more pictures your way. I tried to get some last week, and the machine wouldn't work. That, and I'm sure by now that Dad is going to kick me for how much money I've spent while I've been here. I'm kind of addicted to Mentos and Mike and Ike, but most of what I spend is on notebooks, journals, toothpaste, and other various supplies. But I need to stop going to the Bookstore, or I wont have any money in my account, but I do get a 40% discount, so most things are cheap! Well, I only have a few minutes left, so to answer your questions. Last weeks e-mail titled: "Tengo gozo en mi alma hoy" is the title of the Hymn "There is sunshine in my soul today", but in Spanish it means "I have joy in my soul today". I will have to share many spanish hymns with you all when I get home. My favorite is Hymn 88 in the Spanish Hymn book. We sing it to all of the districts that are leaving, and it's a great feeling to sing to them. Well, to switch topics, Chris, that sounds awesome that you found such a well-prepared investigator! I'm sure that you will help him to be a great member of the church! I can't wait to have an opportunity like that! Sorry to switch subjects again, but I forgot Aubrey was having another baby. You will have to tell them congratz for me! Also, no name for the Blog yet. With how slow I type, there may not be a reason to blog :) Mik, I'm sure your spanish is great! Keep working at it, and it will get better! Dad, sorry I didn't get your message! I hope to get one next week! Mom, keep having a good time, okay? Well, I love you all, and I pray for you often. So keep having a great time. I look forward to your messages next week! Love, Trevor

General Conference was like a well needed vacation, that included much spiritual uplifting.

October 6, 2011 Hola Familia, Yet another great week has passed here at the MTC, and I find myself writing to you all once again. It was great hearing from you all this week, and yes, I mean ALL of you :) Well, this week was pretty-good. We've had some good teaching experiences with our "investigators", and things have been looking up. I'm still a little behind on my Spanish, so it's a difficult process, but it's going well. Entonces...(So...) I actually got a lot of questions from you all this week, and I think that I can answer them all. Okay, where to start?....um....okay! Mik, the hullarious devotional was one with this old guy who kept telling jokes and great stories. Including this one time where he kept spraying a 5-year old boy in the face, by holding down the button on his drinking fountain so that the kid's fountain would go lower. Well, the kid would then put his head lower to get a drink, and this guy would let go of the button, so that the water in the kid's fountain would spray him in the face, and the guy did this repeatedly, and the kid never knew what was going on. So yeah, that was a great devotional. Hmmm... on the subject of cute girls, yes, there are cute Sister Missionaries here, but, as much as I like the Sisters, I am on the Lord's time. So flirting and dating will have to come in about 23 months :) I'm sorry that this message is going to be so jumpy, but I really want to answer your questions. So, now that I know your address (Dad & Mikj), I can likely send you some photos too! The only problem is that my Companion is not a very patient person, and while photos are extremely cheap to develop, the machine is very slow, so it takes a long time out of our P-Day, so I'll see what I can do! Let's see...Chris! Cookies and Cream Milk is the BOMB!!! I know you didn't ask about it, but I thought I'd tell you anyway :) Well, yeah, I only have 2-3 weeks left in the MTC, and then I am off to Panama! It makes me both very nervous and excited at the same time. Unfortunately, I don't have much for questions about the MTC for you, but I do have one question. How do you do it? On days where I teach maybe 2 or 3 people, I feel exhausted! It's not easy being a missionary, and knowing such, I'm very thankful that you are serving so diligently! I'm sure the People of Iowa love you very much, and will continue to do so. Now for Dad. As I mentioned previously, the language is coming okay, but I have no idea how you learned Spanish.... I actually think that with the exception of a new alphabet, that Japanese was easier than Spanish! But fortunately, I have the Spirit to help me understand and speak the language, so it makes up for my shortcomings. Let's see....yes, I got Grandma's letter, and the money! It's was very nice hearing from her, and I need to try and write her a letter today, but I don't know how much time I will have to write today. Now for Mom. Yes, I'm staying happy here at the MTC :) Some days can be a little discouraging, but everything works out in the end! I find that it is just as you said in your e-mail, that the Spirit is my constant companion. He is the real teacher in our lessons. We missionaries are simply messengers in the conversion of souls. We bring a message, and the rest is by the power of the Godhead. When people are able to hear of the love of Jesus Christ, and our Heavenly Father, The Holy Ghost will touch their hearts, and testify to them the truthfulness of our message. Well, I have to cut it short, but I will answer one last question that all of you had. Conference was very good! I felt like it was exactly what I needed to hear. I found that here at the MTC, I hate that I do not have my notes with me at the time, but I will say that I loved every talk that was given! Well, I'm out of time, and I'm sorry that I couldn't share more about my Conference experience. Just know one thing! That the messages given at conference are important! They are the words of God given through his servants, and all of the messages are for you! I love you all and I can't wait to hear from you! Love, Trevor

I'm becoming a monster at sand volleyball!!!

Thursday, September 29, 2011 Hey Family, Well, this is kinda strange, I only got an e-mail from Chris and part of an e-mail from Mom. So I'm not sure what's going on, but the e-mail is kind of glitchy today. So I hope you all get this e-mail. So yeah, another week here at the MTC, and things are going well. I've had a lot of great experiences here. One of which was the devotional this last week. I believe it was Don R. Clarke of the Seventy, and it was a great devotional! I really love it when we get to hear from people like him. The devotionals here are often funny, yet spiritually uplifting at the same time. In fact, the one on Sunday was downright hullarious! I'll need to get back to you on the name of the speaker, but it was a great devotional as well. Anyway, I seem to have a hard time thinking of what to tell you about. Not much happens here at the MTC because we have the same schedule every week, so the weeks are all very similar. That, and none of us can remember when things happened. Days feel long, but time flies here at the MTC. Just look at it. I've already been here for a month!!! It's CRAZY!!! Yeah, it's great. The one thing that seems to change here is the people. I've seen many great Elders and Sisters head out to the Mission Field, and it's like we're leaving all over again. Everyone takes lots of photos, and gives eachother hugs (except Elders and Sisters of course). Some of my favorite people have already left to serve, and it's weird not having them around. That, and every Wednesday, we are flooded with new Missionaries. So it changes alot when people come and go. I just can't believe that I'm in the Second or Third oldest district in my Zone. I still feel like I'm new here! Even though I feel new, it's nice giving advice, and getting to know newer districts. Every day now, I've been going out and playing sand Volleyball with one of the newer districts. It's fun! That, and I'm becoming a monster at sand volleyball!!! By the way, a bit of a random note, but I've met a lot of people who lived, or knew someone in Spanish Fork, Lehi, or Orem, that I know. One of which is Elder Thomas, he was in the same ward as Chad and Lisa in Spanish Fork. That, and I met an elderly guy at the Temple today who knew Harold and Mr. Cobertson from Spanish Fork. It was nice talking with him. Anyway, How are things going for all of you? I like hearing from all of you so much! Plus, I hate writing about myself, and I want to be able to respond to your questions, and hear about your concerns. Actually, I did get questions from Chris. By the way, Hey Chris, it's awesome that you are getting transfered to Iowa. Who knew that you would be transfered out of State? Hopefully they will be good to you in Iowa. Also, congrats on the baptism. Well, to answer your questions, yes, I'm excited for General Conference, and yes, I'm excited to get into the field. One thing though, I'm still scared to death to teach in Spanish! It's a crazy language, and I have a hard time with conjugations. Oh, and to address the e-mail part I got from Mom, I think it's cool that they found your card :) Oh, and yeah, I've had my stuff drycleaned. It took them a while to do it, but it got done. Anyway, I'm out of time, but I look forward to hearing from you all throughout the week. Since I didn't hear from Dad or Mik, I don't know if you still live at the same place, so I'm just letting you all know that I will be sending pictures to you Mom's house today, so look forward to getting thos this week. Well, I love you all, and will talk to you later! Love, Trevor