Elder ZJones: Spanish is HARD

Mission weeks are full! There is so much that goes on in the mission field and a lot that needs to get done. Teaching, contacting, investigators, and studies. It makes the day full. I am still trying to get used to everything and transitioning to be a missionary. I think the hardest part is the language.

First, is trying to understand. There are some days where I can pick out words from conversations and get the jest of what is being said. Then, there are other day where I am totally lost. Second, is speaking. I am very limited on what I can say. I know the gospel but not the words. This can be frustrating at time in lessons and contacting people. There have been times where my companion turns to me to answer and I have no clue what happened! I just need to be patient. It will take time. I just have to continue to try to speak and understand the people.

The daily schedule is good. We get up at 6:30. We have 30 minutes to workout. We have until 8:30 to eat and get ready for the day. Afterward, we have daily planning and personal study. After that it kinda depends on what we planned for the day. There are some things we have to do. We fit in companionship study, language study for an hour a day, and doce semanas 12 weeks), my training. If we have citas (lessons), we work around them. We do contacting to find people to teach. We don't have a siesta, we usually contact during that time. We are in our pension (apartment) at 9:00 and go to bed at 10:30.

How we receive investigators most of the time is through contacts. As we contact people in the streets, we are able to teach lessons to them later through the week. As we are able to teach them more about the gospel and principles that can help them, I have seen a difference in how it has affected them. For some, it is easy to understand and for others it is harder. I think the hardest thing I have seen so far is authority. It is hard for them to understand that there is one true church and God's authority is important. Many believe faith is enough. Elder Oakes and I are trying hard to help them understand more about the importance of the power of God that our church as been given.

I don't understand the layouts of the streets just yet. We have bikes but also do a lot of walking to contact people on the streets. A lot of people walk pass and don't look at us. Most people say hello back but aren't interested. I like how my companion gives me opportunities to speak to people in the streets. My comp has been here for two transfers. There are two other elders in out same area and ward. Elder Williams came with my group and is new like I am. He is from Syracuse, Utah. The other elder has been out eight months. He is from Montana. It is always fun to talk with them.

Let me just say that church here is nothing like church in Utah!! The wards are so small. The building is very small, as well. We live about 10 minutes walking from the church building. We were able to have two of our investigators come to church, which was a blessing. It was Fast Sunday yesterday and I went and introduced myself. It was awesome, though my Spanish was probably wrong. haha

I still don't have words to describe the mission. I am so excited to eventually learn the language and help the people in the best ways that I can. The mission is hard, but it changes us. It helps us focus more on others rather than ourselves.

There are long weeks ahead that I know will change my life!

Love, Elder Jones