LETTER #13 . . . Rain, rain and rain!

Hello all, 

This week was good and i am happy! It's so crazy because it really does just rain and rain here and then will all of the sudden be super sunny and then 20 minutes later it's raining really hard again! I think in my 3 months being on the mission i have seen rain close to everyday which can be a tiny bit depressing . . but it makes the sunny times much better! 

 

We had a new transfer this week and I will be with Elder Guinansaca for another 6 weeks, so hopefully by the end of this cambio my Spanish will be proficient! I am no longer the new gringo which is awesome and i am no longer called on for every single prayer but i am still the kinda new gringo that just kinda understands Spanish (I am working on it!)!

Not a ton happened this week other than we had to get on a bus to Puerto Mont which is a super cool and big city in Chile because my companion had to get his wisdom teeth scanned! Turns out we have to go back this Wednesday so that he can have the surgery done but it was actually super nice to be able to just read on the bus and to talk to different missionaries and have a change of scenery!! 

Halloween isn't a very big thing here but it was fun to see all the little kids dressed up! I helped a member that owns a fruit shop unload boxes the whole night of Halloween and just handed oranges to the little kids in their costumes which was funny cause they were so sad about it haha. Dia de los muertos was cool here because death is such a big deal in latin America and it's cool to see how differently they honor dead. SO MANY FLOWERS!!

I'm learning tons and i am happy! Time goes by fastest when i am focussing on the moment and turning to the Savior!!!! Love you all, remember to read scriptures and write in a journal and PRAY because all these things are so important and i promise you'll be blessed as you do!! 

I'm an 18 year old that has doubts and fears and isn't that good at teaching or speaking Spanish but everything works out and i'm so grateful for this opportunity! Also last week someone taught me that you can learn something from everyone and anyone you meet. i tried thinking about this as I went about my week and i truly learned so much! Go through your days learning people's background and their perspectives and just love them!!!  

Love,
elder Townsend

excerpts from family letter . . . 

FAMILY!!!! hello family i miss you all very much. It has been getting a little tiny bit better and easier being out here and speaking Spanish but it's always very difficult! No problems with my wisdom teeth and i've actually stayed super healthy in this cold weather which has been good! I'm growing a love for exercising also! I cannot believe i've already been doing this for 3 months which is a little crazy and i cannot wait to be halfway and just be comfortable with everything! Sorry i never acknowledge the pictures you send me but know that i always look at them and i am always grateful for them and they make me so happy, so thank you for doing that every week! Im trying my hardest to plant seeds and be positive through all of it! Exact obedience is difficult and so is patience but i'm working for it!! I love you guys! keep praying and reading scriptures!