Monday, February 27, 2012

2-27-12

Dear Family,

This week was really good.  I really love my area.  I definately feel like I fit in a lot better here than in any other area.  I guess it has just been really easy to make friends.  It usually takes me about a transfer to get normalized.  Here it took about a week.  Maybe its because I already knew a lot of people here but the members have really been good to me.

A lot happened this week... so I will try to tell it all.  But before I forget... Mom, I got my package!!! Well I got it like 2 weeks ago but I forgot to mention it.  We ate all the goodies in like 3 days.  Thanks!!!

So there is a member here whose name is Luis.  Well he actually goes by the name Talent... because he is really talented.  He knows a lot of stuff.  He is fluent in 12 languages and is learning more and he has memorized the Book of Mormon and The Bible.  He is a genius.  But in the past, he hasn´t gotten along too well with some of the missionaries who have been here. Mostly because they were lazy.  But he has really taken us in.  In fact, everyone is surprised that he gets along with us.  But he offered to call to you by Skype (he knows english...).   So I  think I will give him your skype address and he will give you an update on how I am doing.   He speaks english really well but try to just say words that are in the dictionary.  They can´t quite get a hang of the slang. (don´t tell him i said that)

On tuesday, we had a zone meeting.  So everyone from the zone including the elders from Chinchina had to come.  We got there early and talked to the missionaries from Chinchina and apparently the word has spread that I am back.  So they told me all the people who told them to tell me hi.  They said that I am famous in Chinchina haha.  I was kind of surprised to hear that they remembered me.   But I asked about my converts to see if they are still going to church and they are!  So I am pretty happy about that.  But not as happy as I was to hear that one of my converts, Sandra, is dating my favorite member John Jairo.  He is the one that took us to the river to work.  John Jairo had just gotten out of a messy marriage that his wife ruined and Sandra´s husband died like 7 or 8 years ago.  I always thought they would be perfect for each other...  And she has almost been a member for a year so if they decide to get married, they can go straight to the temple.  
It has been nice to hear about everyone from Chinchina.  I am happy that everyone is doing good.  Hopefully I can go visit pretty soon.  

This week I got a hair cut.  I said that I wanted to do a 2 on the sides and a 3 on top.  Which is what I normally did at home.  Anyway, it turned out to look kind of weird for a couple of days because I am going bald!!!  It actually wasn´t that bad... but it was just a little bit thin right out in the front.  It is looking ok now, but it gave me a little scare.

The other day, there was an earthquake!  It was just a baby one but it was kind of weird.  It happened really early in the morning while we were still sleeping.  The house just started to shake and it lasted for like 30 seconds.  It wasn´t scary or anything but we were kind of confused for a minute.  

What else...?  I am not sure why, but the girls here are kind of obsessed with me...  in fact, i got proposed to again... well it was actually more of a command... but it is kind of weird.  Oh and a girl in the branch asked me to give her my eyes...  (because they are green/not dark dark brown). 

Anyway, I hope you have a great week!!! Love you lots!!!
Love,
     Corey 

Monday, February 20, 2012

2-20-12

Dear Family,

This week was really good.  I really like my new area a lot.  I haven`t been to Chinchina yet to see my converts and the members there but I have been able to see a lot of people from Manizales in the other branches that I knew before.  I am kind of surprised at how many people remember me.  

It might be safe to say that Manizales is my favorite city in the mission.  It is a beautiful place and the weather has been perfect the past few days.  It is like 70 degrees all the time.  Except when it is raining... but still it is great.  The people here are really nice and friendly.  We have lots of investigators and we should have a few baptisms coming up here really soon.  
We are teaching the family of a girl who got baptized about a year ago.  She has like 5 sisters so we are trying to baptize each one of them and their families.  We are getting pretty close too.  

Last week I mentioned that the food here really good.  We eat in the members houses everyday and in pasto, we had to worry everyday that they were gonna give us something wierd or disgusting.  So I came here expecting the same thing... but to my pleasant surprise, I haven`t been let down yet.  I think it is just a higher quality of food up here.  And in the north of the mission, the people are called paisas.  They are known for having really great personalities and making really good food.

I gotta run... We have lunch with some investigators right now.  So have a great week and for those of you going to Mexico... Have fun!!!

Love,
   Corey

Monday, February 13, 2012

2-13-12

Dear Family,

This week was really good.  I have pretty much enjoyed every minute since I got transfered.

So tuesday morning we headed out.  It was a very long windy road to Cali.  We traveled for about 10 hours in a bus.  It wasn`t quite as uncomfortable as the last one I was in but still... not so fun.  We did have something intresting happen though.  Every hour or so, there would be a big military roadblock.  They would get on and search everyones bags and check IDs and stuff.  Which is kinda awkward when they come across 7 people from different countries... but apparently they were looking for someone.  Probably a guerilla.  

I was excited to get to Cali because we all stay in the same house and get to see old friends and stuff.  But... there were so many transfers that we had to go stay with the assistants and everyone that works in the office.  Lame.  But I was with a buddy of mine who is from the Dominican Republic.  So we just hung out all night.  (It isn`t too easy to sleep during transfers.)

Then, early the next morning, I headed out again.   This time I traveled about 6 hours to Pereira, alone.  Then about an hour and a half to Manizales, alone.  So I got a lot of thinking done.  It was nice to be alone for a change.  And then, at about 2 00, I arrived in Manizales.  It was just like coming home after a long trip.  (not that it is nearly as good as home, but its still cool.)  It was fun to see everything again.  I even passed by Chinchina on the way.  

I took my bags in and we headed out for lunch.  Which, by the way, was delicious.  (I forgot how good the food is up here).  The worst part about my area is that it is a city built on top of a mountain, so when we walk, it is uphill.  Always...  But it is really cool.  A lot of the people remember me from before.  Only this time, I can actually communicate with them.  It feels really good to be in a place like this.  I am really happy with my new area.  

My new companion is also really cool.  We are getting along really well and I have learned that he is the kind of missionary that does what his companion does.  So we will be just fine.  We have lots of investigators and all the members are really cool.  

Oh!  The Mountain Dew experience was wonderful!!!  Sweet nectar of goodness...

So now....  there is big news in la mision colombia cali!   We just got the word today.  In july, our mission is being divided.  They will open la mision colombia medellin!!!  That is all we know for now but it is pretty exciting.  

Well thats pretty much it.  Love you lots and hope you have a great week!!!

Love,
   Corey

Monday, February 6, 2012

2-6-12


Dear Family,
 
This week was pretty good.  We were able to get a lot of work done for the last week of the transfer.  Speaking of which... I am being transfered!  Pretty much the whole mission is being transfered along with me including my current companion.   So 2 new missionaries get to come to Bachue and experience what we have been going through lately.  Apparently, President Prince saw the many problems here and wants fresh blood.  We are actually really happy about it. 
 
I leave tomorrow morning at 7 00.  We will go straight to Cali and spend the night.  Then, on Wednesday morning, I will head on up to Manizales!  Again!  My new area is in my first zone and in the same district as Chinchina.  I am really excited about it.  I should be able to go visit my favorite area and my first converts and everyone.  The only problem is that my area is full of really huge hills.  But I should get pretty strong...  It`ll be nice to get a change of scenery.   Plus, I already know a lot of the members so it should be and easy transition.
 
My new companion is Elder Lewis.  He is another Chileno.  He is an ok guy.  I actually know him really well.  The only problem is that he isn`t the most obedient.  He and one of his companions got caught swimming...  but don`t worry, I won`t let him influence me. 
 
So while I am in Cali for the night tomorrow, I get to finally drink Mountain Dew!!!  I think that is what I am most excited for. 
 
Well that is about it...  We are just trying to get everything ready for the transfer.  I hope you all have a really good week!
 
Love,
   Corey