I can't believe it's november and that i've been serving since august. Quick things I want to say.....Ursula is now joining my mass emails. Also, if any of you can find and give me noelle's email address, that would be great. I'd like to tell her something that I found really cool.
So not much has happened here in Zapata, TX in the area im serving in. So today, I would like to talk about stories that i've been experiencing.
1) I started riding my bike one week ago. I am now really good at riding it. But.....when I first started riding it last monday, I went outside and tried to GO. well, that didnt happen. I was too scared to even move. I then got embarrassed when a 5 year old boy on his bike came up to me and tried to help me learn. Elder Ludwig, (my companion), was just laughing hysterically. He even asked the boy, "How long have you been riding for?" the boy responded, "3 days." I'm guessing right now that you are laughing right now reading this. I tried so hard that day to show the little boy that I could ride it, but I just couldn't. So I tried the next day and i finally got the hang of it. then the next day, and the next day I started getting better. Just two days ago, me and my companion were riding outside and the boy found us again. He said, "Finally, took you long enough." Oh, how i wanted to smack him. lol. But yeah, there's my embarrassing story.
2) Another story I thought about...Mom and dad should love this. HAHA. Well, I went to a member's house with Elder Ludwig just to check up on a member. While we were talking to her in SPANISH, she asked if we wanted to try a "Concha cafe o una Concha rosa." I was like, WHAT? I didn't know how to respond. I thought the worse because I've been raised knowing that word is awful. lol. She later brought out pan dulces. I hope you guys know what they are. I don't know how to explain them. But they were just bread in a bag labeled, CONCHAS. hahaha. I was so embarrassed because i thought that all Spanish places knew that word. I guess Mexicans don't.
3) Here's a short story, me and my comp. were walking on the road contacting people. As of this moment, i am still a little scared just walking up to people. Well, one night, I didn't get any contacts where I went up and said hi by myself. So.....it was dark, but I saw a group of people. I started to go up to them and said, "Hola! Como.......CRASH! BOOM! It was so dark that I didn't see a metal plate randomly on the ground. I just tripped on it, but it made such a loud sound. I was so embarrassed, I just walked away. lol. Well, those are just some of my stories. I hope you guys get a kick out of them. Please forward my emails to anyone in the family who would like reading them.
Well, I had a great week this week. Halloween was ok. But it was fun. Me and Elder Ludwig had to be in our apartments at 6:00pm because the rule is that we can't be outside cuz of all the masks and people. Anyone who hates missionaries has the perfect chance to hurt us on that night. But we just chilled in our apartment and had shot glasses with apple cider. lol. then we played games and stuff like jenga and cards. It was a lot of fun. What were all of you for Halloween. I would like to know. If you want, you can send me pics. but I don't care what you do.
Well, i hope everyone is doing well. I hope everyone will enjoy november! I can't believe time flies.
Gio...Thanks for your email to me. Finally you write back, but man! you got SWINE FLU?! that sucks. Tell me this...did they test you first by sticking a probe up your nose to touch your sinuses? IT HURTS LIKE HECK! And my doctor even told me I had all the symptoms of swine flu. and that the tests they do are only 50% accurate. What stupidity is that. He said I didn't have it. oh well. and your story about the bike...lol. Just practice. I wish I could practice with you at the same time so we both could look like idiots. haha. And i have not received your package so i'll reply back to you next week on that.
-Love you all,
Elder Velez
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
2 Baptism Commitments & Re-learning How To Ride A Bike
Hey everyone,
So I'm glad everyone is doing great. I few things I wanna say...
Ligia....I'm really glad you are reading PMG, or as known as Preach my Gospel. Or PME, the spanish version i'm still trying to understand. lol. Everyone should try to do what she is doing because Preach my gospel is amazing! I love it. Even though I thought I knew something, I really didnt know it at all. Personal study is so essential. I don't know how i didnt understand it before. I guess i was a stupid little boy. I still kind of am. lol. Oh, and my apartment is a little better than Alex's. but I still got the rats and creatures all around. Our apartment is pretty decent. Our AC is pretty good, but most of time, we just rely on the fans. Lastly, i'll try and read that mark 2 when I get the time. I'll reply next week and let you know more if I learn anything.
Gio....I found out you are in a ward at BYU with several of my friends who are girls. Be friends with them. I know you are with a girl named Olivia and Ji Su. They're my age but Olivia wrote to me about you guys being in the same ward. Write back to me. I know you're busy, but the last time you wrote me was back when i was in the MTC.
Tiff...I already wrote you so keep up the good work and BYU stuff. Thanks lig and gio for helping her out. She needs to continue the BYU tradition. She's the last one! Good luck with everything.
Mom...I already wrote you so not much to say. haha.
Dad...Thanks so much for your email. It really made me feel better to know that you know how I feel. I'll continue to work hard.
Everyone...Nothing much has changed since the last time I wrote. Life is still hard here. We have two baptism dates for people. I really hope they pull through. Also, my bike...I am trying to learn to ride it. It's coming back to me, but I am still scared like CRAP. I hate bicycles. On the second day I rode it, the tire popped because a thorn dug straight through it. lol. I was kind of mad cuz I finally am picking it up at riding again. Just keep praying for me that i'll get over my fear. And don't worry, i'll get it fixed. or at least, my companion will help me cuz I don't know anything about bicycles. Take care everyone. Love ya all!
-Mo
So I'm glad everyone is doing great. I few things I wanna say...
Ligia....I'm really glad you are reading PMG, or as known as Preach my Gospel. Or PME, the spanish version i'm still trying to understand. lol. Everyone should try to do what she is doing because Preach my gospel is amazing! I love it. Even though I thought I knew something, I really didnt know it at all. Personal study is so essential. I don't know how i didnt understand it before. I guess i was a stupid little boy. I still kind of am. lol. Oh, and my apartment is a little better than Alex's. but I still got the rats and creatures all around. Our apartment is pretty decent. Our AC is pretty good, but most of time, we just rely on the fans. Lastly, i'll try and read that mark 2 when I get the time. I'll reply next week and let you know more if I learn anything.
Gio....I found out you are in a ward at BYU with several of my friends who are girls. Be friends with them. I know you are with a girl named Olivia and Ji Su. They're my age but Olivia wrote to me about you guys being in the same ward. Write back to me. I know you're busy, but the last time you wrote me was back when i was in the MTC.
Tiff...I already wrote you so keep up the good work and BYU stuff. Thanks lig and gio for helping her out. She needs to continue the BYU tradition. She's the last one! Good luck with everything.
Mom...I already wrote you so not much to say. haha.
Dad...Thanks so much for your email. It really made me feel better to know that you know how I feel. I'll continue to work hard.
Everyone...Nothing much has changed since the last time I wrote. Life is still hard here. We have two baptism dates for people. I really hope they pull through. Also, my bike...I am trying to learn to ride it. It's coming back to me, but I am still scared like CRAP. I hate bicycles. On the second day I rode it, the tire popped because a thorn dug straight through it. lol. I was kind of mad cuz I finally am picking it up at riding again. Just keep praying for me that i'll get over my fear. And don't worry, i'll get it fixed. or at least, my companion will help me cuz I don't know anything about bicycles. Take care everyone. Love ya all!
-Mo
One More Thing!
I quickly wanted to say I'm sorry for rushing through the phone calls last week. I was on a very tight schedule. I'll do my best to reply back to all of you when I have time. I have a lot of people to teach and talk to right now, so I love you all. bye.
-Morris
-Morris
Zapata, TX with Elder Ludwig!
Hey everyone,
So I'm going to give as much info. as I can about my life here in Texas. When i got here, it was SOO HOTT!!! VERY HUMID! It is just bad out here. So i ate dinner at the mission president's house and that was really good. The president and his wife are so nice. They are amazing people. Also, mom and dad, you guys should be getting a email sometime soon from my mission president. Anyways, I got sent to a small city called ZAPATA. It's a city near Loredo, if you know where that is. Right now, i am experiencing some bad culture shock here in Texas. I am not used to living with VERY POOR houses, trash EVERYWHERE on the streets, and dogs (chihuahuas) chasing me and my companion. Oh, and my companion's name is Elder Ludwig. He is from Salt Lake City and is really cool. I'm the first elder for him that he's trained. He's doing a good job so far. Anyways, our area is quite an experience. I'm going crazy with how dirty and poor the area is. Our apartment is pretty good, but we still have roaches and rats. I try to clean and keep the apartment as clean as possible. Thanks mom for raising me the best you can. I can't stand living in a place like this, but I was sent here for a reason. The people in Texas are very nice here. um....what else...Oh, church consists of about 10-13 people on sundays. Our building is very small here in Zapata. Oh, and guess what?!! We had a few problems with a member on sunday that my companion had to go help the branch president during classes. Well, i got in a situation where I had to teach both the Priesthood and the Relief Society class of about 7 people. I was so nervous because I was not ready with any lessons, and it had to be done ALL in SPANISH!! I basically picked up a gospel principles book that I've never read before, read from it, bore a lot of testimony, and asked the members questions. Even though i wasn't prepared, at the end of class, I was amazed how well my spanish was. They all understood me. I was so scared that they weren't because they know NO english so i couldn't use some english words. It was tough, but I knew the Lord was with me. It's tough out here to teach, but me and Elder Ludwig are doing are best. It's only us 2 missionaries out here. The closest elders from us are 1 hour away. lol. Well, that's all I really want to write about. Overall, I'm enjoying it out here and really teaching the gospel to new investigators. My contacting to random people still needs work though. I get very nervous just walking up to someone. Oh, and before I forget, here is my direct address:
Elder Mauricio VelezP.O. Box 14991
Zapata, TX 78076.
This address will be my direct address for at least 5 more weeks. If I get transferred, i'll get a new one. If not, it'll stay the same.
Tiffany....please update my facebook for me. You don't have to put this address on because it will change several times, but please tell my friends on facebook to just keep sending me letters and stuff to my mission address all year around. They will forward me my letters.
the mission address is this in case you forgot, but its on facebook i believe:
Elder Mauricio Velez
Texas McAllen Mission
200 W. La Vista Ave.
McAllen, TX 78501.
Oh, and just so you all know, my P-Days are on Mondays now so send me emails before monday. Thanks everyone. I don't have time really to write each person, but maybe i'll have time to write each of you next week. Love you all and continue to do well in everything. Please, everybody, write back!
Oh, and Lig, I'll write back to you next week. I just don't have much time right now. Tell your family I love them alot.
Tiff, reply back and update my stuff for me. thanks. and tell me more about BYU application.
Mom, don't worry about my life. It's doing great. Same for dad too. Don't WORRY!!!
Gio, Good luck with everything. Do good in school and anatomy!
-Mauricio
P.S. If i'm forgetting anything, ask me questions. I'll reply next week.
So I'm going to give as much info. as I can about my life here in Texas. When i got here, it was SOO HOTT!!! VERY HUMID! It is just bad out here. So i ate dinner at the mission president's house and that was really good. The president and his wife are so nice. They are amazing people. Also, mom and dad, you guys should be getting a email sometime soon from my mission president. Anyways, I got sent to a small city called ZAPATA. It's a city near Loredo, if you know where that is. Right now, i am experiencing some bad culture shock here in Texas. I am not used to living with VERY POOR houses, trash EVERYWHERE on the streets, and dogs (chihuahuas) chasing me and my companion. Oh, and my companion's name is Elder Ludwig. He is from Salt Lake City and is really cool. I'm the first elder for him that he's trained. He's doing a good job so far. Anyways, our area is quite an experience. I'm going crazy with how dirty and poor the area is. Our apartment is pretty good, but we still have roaches and rats. I try to clean and keep the apartment as clean as possible. Thanks mom for raising me the best you can. I can't stand living in a place like this, but I was sent here for a reason. The people in Texas are very nice here. um....what else...Oh, church consists of about 10-13 people on sundays. Our building is very small here in Zapata. Oh, and guess what?!! We had a few problems with a member on sunday that my companion had to go help the branch president during classes. Well, i got in a situation where I had to teach both the Priesthood and the Relief Society class of about 7 people. I was so nervous because I was not ready with any lessons, and it had to be done ALL in SPANISH!! I basically picked up a gospel principles book that I've never read before, read from it, bore a lot of testimony, and asked the members questions. Even though i wasn't prepared, at the end of class, I was amazed how well my spanish was. They all understood me. I was so scared that they weren't because they know NO english so i couldn't use some english words. It was tough, but I knew the Lord was with me. It's tough out here to teach, but me and Elder Ludwig are doing are best. It's only us 2 missionaries out here. The closest elders from us are 1 hour away. lol. Well, that's all I really want to write about. Overall, I'm enjoying it out here and really teaching the gospel to new investigators. My contacting to random people still needs work though. I get very nervous just walking up to someone. Oh, and before I forget, here is my direct address:
Elder Mauricio VelezP.O. Box 14991
Zapata, TX 78076.
This address will be my direct address for at least 5 more weeks. If I get transferred, i'll get a new one. If not, it'll stay the same.
Tiffany....please update my facebook for me. You don't have to put this address on because it will change several times, but please tell my friends on facebook to just keep sending me letters and stuff to my mission address all year around. They will forward me my letters.
the mission address is this in case you forgot, but its on facebook i believe:
Elder Mauricio Velez
Texas McAllen Mission
200 W. La Vista Ave.
McAllen, TX 78501.
Oh, and just so you all know, my P-Days are on Mondays now so send me emails before monday. Thanks everyone. I don't have time really to write each person, but maybe i'll have time to write each of you next week. Love you all and continue to do well in everything. Please, everybody, write back!
Oh, and Lig, I'll write back to you next week. I just don't have much time right now. Tell your family I love them alot.
Tiff, reply back and update my stuff for me. thanks. and tell me more about BYU application.
Mom, don't worry about my life. It's doing great. Same for dad too. Don't WORRY!!!
Gio, Good luck with everything. Do good in school and anatomy!
-Mauricio
P.S. If i'm forgetting anything, ask me questions. I'll reply next week.
Arriving in Texas!!!
Well, life is still crazy here. Really quick, i want to answer questions that you guys had.
Mom....I got my license and stuff and I did not use all the minutes. I might send it back to you because we have cell phones to use and I get to call everyone with this phone when we get to Christmas. Don't get any ideas to call me to this phone though. lol. I won't answer. And about the bike, i still have not ridden it yet. I just got it yesterday from the AP's. I'll let you know next week how i do, but as of right now, we don't really bike a lot here in Zapata. It's more walking. Maybe in my next transfer whenever in the future i'll be in an area where we bike.
Family.....Well, back to the family and everyone else who might be reading this. The food is cooked by me right now. As missionaries, we stick to soups, cup of noodles, hot dogs, sandwiches, quesadillas, etc. The basics. It's hard to get fruits and stuff because the roaches get to it no matter how safe it is protected. When i buy bananas and apples and stuff, i quickly eat them because otherwise they're gross with bugs. lol. Also, I have not yet received a Tex-Mex meal from anybody. We have very few members who never have time to cook for us or anything. Also, the other day, we had companionship training in McAllen, where all the same elders who came on the same day as me get taught by the president and the AP's. I got really depressed because everybody is getting contacts of people (our goal here in Texas is 20 people a day). Me and my companion have been getting about 5-6 contacts. Plus everyone was also getting fed amazing mexican food. They say its the best food they've ever had. I really got to the point where I was going into depression. But my companion helped me out and said there is always a reason why you're here. Read Ether 12 i think. It taught me that we have trials for a reason. I knew that, but I just had to read that again and again. It brought me to my senses because its so hard out here. Nobody cares and wants to listen, most are drunk, we can always smell marijuana and cocaine, people get deported back to mexico. lol. Our neighbor is a concaine dealer. It's ridiculous. hahaha. So mom and lig, my food is just done by me. Don't worry, my exercise is doing fine. I'm not getting bigger. I sweat gallons of sweat every day. We walk for miles. And I use Gold Bond powder because I don't want to chaff between my legs. I heard missionaries here have started bleeding right at the crotch because they don't use powder or lotions there. I don't want to know how that feels. lol. And Lig..... I know where you get those quotes you wrote in the email. lol. "Oh my gosh you're so skinny." I miss quoting movies with you, gio, and tiff. It's not the same without all of you. lol.
Anyways, oh, and mom. Roaches and rats are such a big problem. My apartment may be clean, but they still come in. Our walls have some holes and crap inside them. They will always come. It's sick. Whatever.
Take care everyone.
-Elder Velez
p.s. Ligia...Alfred hitchcock's birds? They didnt go and eat seed!! They killed people. lol. But thats funny how you related your garden with that. HAHAHA.
Mom....I got my license and stuff and I did not use all the minutes. I might send it back to you because we have cell phones to use and I get to call everyone with this phone when we get to Christmas. Don't get any ideas to call me to this phone though. lol. I won't answer. And about the bike, i still have not ridden it yet. I just got it yesterday from the AP's. I'll let you know next week how i do, but as of right now, we don't really bike a lot here in Zapata. It's more walking. Maybe in my next transfer whenever in the future i'll be in an area where we bike.
Family.....Well, back to the family and everyone else who might be reading this. The food is cooked by me right now. As missionaries, we stick to soups, cup of noodles, hot dogs, sandwiches, quesadillas, etc. The basics. It's hard to get fruits and stuff because the roaches get to it no matter how safe it is protected. When i buy bananas and apples and stuff, i quickly eat them because otherwise they're gross with bugs. lol. Also, I have not yet received a Tex-Mex meal from anybody. We have very few members who never have time to cook for us or anything. Also, the other day, we had companionship training in McAllen, where all the same elders who came on the same day as me get taught by the president and the AP's. I got really depressed because everybody is getting contacts of people (our goal here in Texas is 20 people a day). Me and my companion have been getting about 5-6 contacts. Plus everyone was also getting fed amazing mexican food. They say its the best food they've ever had. I really got to the point where I was going into depression. But my companion helped me out and said there is always a reason why you're here. Read Ether 12 i think. It taught me that we have trials for a reason. I knew that, but I just had to read that again and again. It brought me to my senses because its so hard out here. Nobody cares and wants to listen, most are drunk, we can always smell marijuana and cocaine, people get deported back to mexico. lol. Our neighbor is a concaine dealer. It's ridiculous. hahaha. So mom and lig, my food is just done by me. Don't worry, my exercise is doing fine. I'm not getting bigger. I sweat gallons of sweat every day. We walk for miles. And I use Gold Bond powder because I don't want to chaff between my legs. I heard missionaries here have started bleeding right at the crotch because they don't use powder or lotions there. I don't want to know how that feels. lol. And Lig..... I know where you get those quotes you wrote in the email. lol. "Oh my gosh you're so skinny." I miss quoting movies with you, gio, and tiff. It's not the same without all of you. lol.
Anyways, oh, and mom. Roaches and rats are such a big problem. My apartment may be clean, but they still come in. Our walls have some holes and crap inside them. They will always come. It's sick. Whatever.
Take care everyone.
-Elder Velez
p.s. Ligia...Alfred hitchcock's birds? They didnt go and eat seed!! They killed people. lol. But thats funny how you related your garden with that. HAHAHA.
Last Week at the MTC
Hey everyone,
Well, i've reached my last week here at the MTC. It's crazy. I can't believe i've come to this point already. Time is flying so fast. Anyways, big important info that I need to talk about. I have my flight plans. I have to leave for the airport at 5am in the morning for my 8:30am flight to Fortworth, Texas. I get to call all you guys before 8:30, my time here in Utah. I hope you guys will be awake so I can talk to you for a while. I then stop at Fortworth, Texas around 12:30pm and have to take a connecting flight to McAllen, Texas at 3:30pm. So that leaves me with about 3 hours to call home again. If you do not answer when i call in the morning, i hope you answer in the afternoon. This is the only time I get to call everyone until Christmas. Please be alert. If i don't have time in the morning to call you, im sorry. I have no idea how long its gonna take me at the airport. But I will FOR SURE call in the afternoon. If I don't get the chance to talk to some of you, sorry. Just wait till Christmas. It's not the end of the world, but i'd love to hear your voices again.
I hope everyone is doing well still. I can't believe it's almost october. Enjoy General Conference because it's going to be great, like always. Oh, and before I mentioned how we could have been in the choir, but the MTC did not get chosen to sing for general conference this year. Darn! Oh well. Anyways, life is doing pretty good here at the MTC. I'm going crazy right now trying to get everything done and stuff. Oh, and mom, i may be sending you stuff like books that I may not need on my mission. I'm only doing this because I have a 90% feeling that my luggage may be overweight. So when you receive it, just put it somewhere or whatever. Don't lose it. Well, I think thats about it. I'll talk to you all hopefully on the phone. If not, my next email will be the email i send from Texas. WOO!!! I'm soo excited.
Ligia....please read Preach my Gospel. It contains so much stuff that you could do for service and talking to others about the church. It's amazing. I read it before the mission and never really quite take it IN my soul until now. lol. Everyone else should do this too. Maybe for family home evenings you could read a chapter and just talk about it and do the activities in it.
I know everyone will benefit from this. Thanks everyone for the letters and emails. Remember if you need to send me something, start sending them to the Texas McAllen mission office. I don't want to risk stuff at the MTC cuz im leaving soon. I'll let you all know ASAP once i get my apartment address and stuff. I love you all. Take care.
Love always,
-Elder Mauricio Velez :)
Well, i've reached my last week here at the MTC. It's crazy. I can't believe i've come to this point already. Time is flying so fast. Anyways, big important info that I need to talk about. I have my flight plans. I have to leave for the airport at 5am in the morning for my 8:30am flight to Fortworth, Texas. I get to call all you guys before 8:30, my time here in Utah. I hope you guys will be awake so I can talk to you for a while. I then stop at Fortworth, Texas around 12:30pm and have to take a connecting flight to McAllen, Texas at 3:30pm. So that leaves me with about 3 hours to call home again. If you do not answer when i call in the morning, i hope you answer in the afternoon. This is the only time I get to call everyone until Christmas. Please be alert. If i don't have time in the morning to call you, im sorry. I have no idea how long its gonna take me at the airport. But I will FOR SURE call in the afternoon. If I don't get the chance to talk to some of you, sorry. Just wait till Christmas. It's not the end of the world, but i'd love to hear your voices again.
I hope everyone is doing well still. I can't believe it's almost october. Enjoy General Conference because it's going to be great, like always. Oh, and before I mentioned how we could have been in the choir, but the MTC did not get chosen to sing for general conference this year. Darn! Oh well. Anyways, life is doing pretty good here at the MTC. I'm going crazy right now trying to get everything done and stuff. Oh, and mom, i may be sending you stuff like books that I may not need on my mission. I'm only doing this because I have a 90% feeling that my luggage may be overweight. So when you receive it, just put it somewhere or whatever. Don't lose it. Well, I think thats about it. I'll talk to you all hopefully on the phone. If not, my next email will be the email i send from Texas. WOO!!! I'm soo excited.
Ligia....please read Preach my Gospel. It contains so much stuff that you could do for service and talking to others about the church. It's amazing. I read it before the mission and never really quite take it IN my soul until now. lol. Everyone else should do this too. Maybe for family home evenings you could read a chapter and just talk about it and do the activities in it.
I know everyone will benefit from this. Thanks everyone for the letters and emails. Remember if you need to send me something, start sending them to the Texas McAllen mission office. I don't want to risk stuff at the MTC cuz im leaving soon. I'll let you all know ASAP once i get my apartment address and stuff. I love you all. Take care.
Love always,
-Elder Mauricio Velez :)
My Flight Plans
Woops!!! I'm soooo sorry everyone. I completely forgot what day. lol. The day I am going to the airport is Tuesday October 6th!!!! Sorry for forgetting about that. lol.
-Mauricio
-Mauricio
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