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.