My whole letter is going to come from what happened to me Saturday. So, we had our two baptisms planned at 5 and 6:30, weird yeah, so in the morning we were just contacting, making the baptismal program, and filling up the font and junk. We were talking to this large Spanish family for like 10 minutes, and all of a sudden someone like shoved me. I was standing near a crosswalk so I figured someone just brushed by me on accident. I turn around and see this old guy, with a cane, laughing and mumbling to himself still with the hand used to push me in the air. So, then the Spanish family and my companion burst out laughing and it took me a second to realize what happened. Then we all laughed. But be careful of those old Spaniards, they are still kind of strong.
Then, my companion started talking to some other person, and I didn't realize so I kept walking and talked to some older Spanish lady, and we told her that we were going to have a baptismal service later that day and that she was invited. Well I really didn't think twice about it but, she showed up. We will address that later. So, we went to the capilla to finish filling up the font, and my companion decided, hey, lets go contact while we leave it filling up, I was like no dude, not a good idea, we are going to forget. He assured me we wouldn't forget. I told him if we did it was all his fault. Well after 3 really super good long contacts, we realized we needed to go home and make the cookies and brownies. So we went home, and started making the cookies and brownies. After about an hour, my companion screamed, "We forgot the water in the church!"
So we went running to the church with the cookies and junk as fast as we could, only to find that someone got there like an hour early and had turned off the water and cleaned up the little that spilled. So, then we were like, phew, only to realize that we didn't turn off the oven. So, like 10 minutes before the baptism was about to start, we ran back and turned off the oven, then ran back to the church to try and get there on time. We were only 15 minutes late so it was okay. The baptism went fine, and I went to say goodbye to this sweet old Spanish lady who came, and she just kind of went for the beso, or cheek kiss. So, after almost 15 months of being clean, I got my first beso, and liked it. No, but it was a funny story. Even funnier is if one companion gets kissed, the other one has to as well so as my companion was laughing at me, I just turned and gave him the, "Your turn buddy" look. It was pretty funny.
Stay Pretty
E.D.
Sunday, September 26, 2010
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
I Chose To Be A Missionary
Dear Parents,
You have tags now? That's way cool. Dad and I can exchange name tags without problems. Sweet. (The parents are also serving as Hispanic Initiative missionaries and have new name tags in Spanish)
Since you always talk about the dogs, I will talk about how I talk about dogs. I don't know why, but here in my new area, there are a ton of Miniature Schnauzers. So, I decided to start talking to everyone who had one, and just show them my pictures. It's funny because the people love talking about their dogs, just like you, so it's been a pretty effective way of contacting Spaniards. And it's always funny because people that have Schnauzers tend to have the same personality. Don't have the slightest idea why.
And yes, I kind of accepted living at home. (Scott is thinking about transferring to the Uof U) But I also figure if I live at home, you will buy me more things, so I think it will be okay. Plus I might actually study. Maybe. And yes, the health issues have been resolved. Modern medicine eh?
I am racking my brain with other interesting things from last week. Yesterday I did exchanges with a fairly new missionary. I definitely am super grateful for my ability with the language. I don't miss not knowing what is going on. Actually right now a huge problem in our zone is the lack of missionaries speaking Spanish and the lack of contacting that happens. We have no idea what we can even do more than remind people that they chose to come here. I guess something that caught my attention a lot from this week is that seeing miracles is an act of agency. We choose to see them. I don't think a lot of missionaries realize that, so it's really hard to help people who don't believe. My companion and I, who is my soul mate, sometimes just hug at night for long periods of time because we both want to work and like it. He has had some pretty difficult companions his mission.
Okay, yeah I got a story. So, we live on the 4th floor, and right across the street from us, on the 4th floor, there is another piso. So, after working, we were in the kitchen preparing mate, and we noticed like 8 girls in this piso. So, we just start like flexing, doing push-ups, just being as dumb as possible. Then, we had an American flag hanging up on the wall, so we decided to put it out the kitchen window. We did it while speaking English really loud. The girls just started laughing hysterically and said in English, do you speak Spanish? We say a little, in Spanish. They said, party, here, tonight. We said, in Spanish, it's just we can't jump that far. They laughed and tried to talk but we decided to leave the room or something. Well, we sort of talked to them, maybe awkward smiles, across the street, and laughs at them the rest of the night. Anyway, later that night, when we were sleeping, someone rang the doorbell. This woke me up, and my companion, but he didn't remember because he was drugged up on sleeping pills, and then I just proceeded to hear a lot of footsteps and girls' voices. I was a little worried for my well being, but my laziness and tiredness kept me in my bed, don't even worry. But yeah, so there is the danger of having an incredibly good looking companion and a sexy American accent.
Okay, stay pretty. Elder Dunn
You have tags now? That's way cool. Dad and I can exchange name tags without problems. Sweet. (The parents are also serving as Hispanic Initiative missionaries and have new name tags in Spanish)
Since you always talk about the dogs, I will talk about how I talk about dogs. I don't know why, but here in my new area, there are a ton of Miniature Schnauzers. So, I decided to start talking to everyone who had one, and just show them my pictures. It's funny because the people love talking about their dogs, just like you, so it's been a pretty effective way of contacting Spaniards. And it's always funny because people that have Schnauzers tend to have the same personality. Don't have the slightest idea why.
And yes, I kind of accepted living at home. (Scott is thinking about transferring to the Uof U) But I also figure if I live at home, you will buy me more things, so I think it will be okay. Plus I might actually study. Maybe. And yes, the health issues have been resolved. Modern medicine eh?
I am racking my brain with other interesting things from last week. Yesterday I did exchanges with a fairly new missionary. I definitely am super grateful for my ability with the language. I don't miss not knowing what is going on. Actually right now a huge problem in our zone is the lack of missionaries speaking Spanish and the lack of contacting that happens. We have no idea what we can even do more than remind people that they chose to come here. I guess something that caught my attention a lot from this week is that seeing miracles is an act of agency. We choose to see them. I don't think a lot of missionaries realize that, so it's really hard to help people who don't believe. My companion and I, who is my soul mate, sometimes just hug at night for long periods of time because we both want to work and like it. He has had some pretty difficult companions his mission.
Okay, yeah I got a story. So, we live on the 4th floor, and right across the street from us, on the 4th floor, there is another piso. So, after working, we were in the kitchen preparing mate, and we noticed like 8 girls in this piso. So, we just start like flexing, doing push-ups, just being as dumb as possible. Then, we had an American flag hanging up on the wall, so we decided to put it out the kitchen window. We did it while speaking English really loud. The girls just started laughing hysterically and said in English, do you speak Spanish? We say a little, in Spanish. They said, party, here, tonight. We said, in Spanish, it's just we can't jump that far. They laughed and tried to talk but we decided to leave the room or something. Well, we sort of talked to them, maybe awkward smiles, across the street, and laughs at them the rest of the night. Anyway, later that night, when we were sleeping, someone rang the doorbell. This woke me up, and my companion, but he didn't remember because he was drugged up on sleeping pills, and then I just proceeded to hear a lot of footsteps and girls' voices. I was a little worried for my well being, but my laziness and tiredness kept me in my bed, don't even worry. But yeah, so there is the danger of having an incredibly good looking companion and a sexy American accent.
Okay, stay pretty. Elder Dunn
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
Heading Up North!
I figure you were getting bored with boring letters, so I started doing something every night to increase the level of awesomeness. I just write one thing about the day that I can include in a letter home. Actually a lot has happened, so I will just go in order. And by order I mean from the most interesting, not chronologically.
I am going to Oviedo on Monday. It's way up north. I am pretty super stoked because it's a great area with a lot of people and I will have a great companion. I am also going to be a zone leader, which means, I will actually have to shape up now. We found out today, way early, so we have time to make travel arrangements and junk. I am kind of sad because this little town has the town festival the week after I go. Two members and an investigator are having birthday parties, there is a special zone conference for only the Madrid missionaries, with a general authority, and we have a baptismal date. But it just means the new Elder here will love it. Actually it's my companion from the CCM here in Spain, and like my best friend in the mission, so that's cool. I also knew my new companion in the CCM, so we will have fun catching up. So that is that.
So I have this brilliant idea. Because I don't really believe that missionaries in South America contact like we contact here. If Spain missionaries and South American missionaries just switched halfway through their missions, I think it would stir things up quite a bit. We went to pass by a Peruvian guy's one night, and he hadn't returned from work, but his brother answered the door. We just decided to talk to him till he let us in, and after 10 minutes of talking at the door, we were inside drinking juice and eating pastries. It's just like a gold mine. I will definitely miss South Americans, but I will be working the Spaniards up north!
So, I have definitely learned the danger and the beauty in talking to young people. Three people have told us they want to get baptized in our church, (they have no idea what that includes but they said it), so there is gold in the youth. But we have this group of 13-16 year olds that we talked to and every time they see us, they come running up to us and hug us. They love practicing their English on us. The problem is they only know like 5 words, and 4 of them I would never repeat. But it usually turns into us teaching them the Law of Chastity, or Word of Wisdom, or some commandment. It actually turned out to be a sweet experience, because I was talking to one of them more seriously while my companion handled the rest of the group ( brave man.) The boy was like, you guys are missing out on the pleasures of life. I just asked him, if they really are the pleasures of life, why do you think we don't do them? He just kind of thought, I don't know... maybe because you are all weird? Then I asked, why do you think millions of people wouldn't do these things voluntarily, and he was all like, I don't know. Then I asked him if God told you that you could have a happier life by not doing these things, would you stop, and he said, well I guess. Then we almost got to the subject of prayer but the group got bored with my companion and started harassing me. But, two of the girls, 13 year olds and not virgins in case you were wondering, asked us if girls can be missionaries too because they want to talk to people about God. So in between f-words and crude jokes, we are slowing making progress with them.
Alright last story of the week. On Monday, we just had nothing going our way. Three set lessons already bailed, so we were running by some back up plans and contacting a bit. Well we left to go to our next supposed set lesson, and while we were walking on a rode of chalets (chalets are like nice condos, where wealthier Spaniards usually live), my companion in the middle of the road said, lets knock here. I was like, OK Mr. loving to waste time. Yeah, so he found a South American family of 4 that wants to learn more. Ha, ha. I just kind of realized, my companion is boss. It was a pretty sweet little experience. Other than that, we continue with Romanians that don't believe in God but can quote the whole Bible, and a couple of golden people that need to get married. Stay pretty.
I am going to Oviedo on Monday. It's way up north. I am pretty super stoked because it's a great area with a lot of people and I will have a great companion. I am also going to be a zone leader, which means, I will actually have to shape up now. We found out today, way early, so we have time to make travel arrangements and junk. I am kind of sad because this little town has the town festival the week after I go. Two members and an investigator are having birthday parties, there is a special zone conference for only the Madrid missionaries, with a general authority, and we have a baptismal date. But it just means the new Elder here will love it. Actually it's my companion from the CCM here in Spain, and like my best friend in the mission, so that's cool. I also knew my new companion in the CCM, so we will have fun catching up. So that is that.
So I have this brilliant idea. Because I don't really believe that missionaries in South America contact like we contact here. If Spain missionaries and South American missionaries just switched halfway through their missions, I think it would stir things up quite a bit. We went to pass by a Peruvian guy's one night, and he hadn't returned from work, but his brother answered the door. We just decided to talk to him till he let us in, and after 10 minutes of talking at the door, we were inside drinking juice and eating pastries. It's just like a gold mine. I will definitely miss South Americans, but I will be working the Spaniards up north!
So, I have definitely learned the danger and the beauty in talking to young people. Three people have told us they want to get baptized in our church, (they have no idea what that includes but they said it), so there is gold in the youth. But we have this group of 13-16 year olds that we talked to and every time they see us, they come running up to us and hug us. They love practicing their English on us. The problem is they only know like 5 words, and 4 of them I would never repeat. But it usually turns into us teaching them the Law of Chastity, or Word of Wisdom, or some commandment. It actually turned out to be a sweet experience, because I was talking to one of them more seriously while my companion handled the rest of the group ( brave man.) The boy was like, you guys are missing out on the pleasures of life. I just asked him, if they really are the pleasures of life, why do you think we don't do them? He just kind of thought, I don't know... maybe because you are all weird? Then I asked, why do you think millions of people wouldn't do these things voluntarily, and he was all like, I don't know. Then I asked him if God told you that you could have a happier life by not doing these things, would you stop, and he said, well I guess. Then we almost got to the subject of prayer but the group got bored with my companion and started harassing me. But, two of the girls, 13 year olds and not virgins in case you were wondering, asked us if girls can be missionaries too because they want to talk to people about God. So in between f-words and crude jokes, we are slowing making progress with them.
Alright last story of the week. On Monday, we just had nothing going our way. Three set lessons already bailed, so we were running by some back up plans and contacting a bit. Well we left to go to our next supposed set lesson, and while we were walking on a rode of chalets (chalets are like nice condos, where wealthier Spaniards usually live), my companion in the middle of the road said, lets knock here. I was like, OK Mr. loving to waste time. Yeah, so he found a South American family of 4 that wants to learn more. Ha, ha. I just kind of realized, my companion is boss. It was a pretty sweet little experience. Other than that, we continue with Romanians that don't believe in God but can quote the whole Bible, and a couple of golden people that need to get married. Stay pretty.
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