Hello, 02/24

Hola a todos.

How is everything? I'm doing really well out here. I'm actually having the time of my life if I'm being totally honest with all of you.

What has happened over the past week that's worth reporting? I went on exchanges with two different sets of Elders. Since my companion is the District Leader, he gets to go on exchanges with everyone, which means I do to. I went on my first with Elder Nowell. He is an... interesting missionary. He is obedient and does good, he just likes to have fun. So I learned how to pray very fervently, quickly, while I was in the car with him. You guys think I'm a bad driver... I have never been more scared in my life. Except maybe that one time that me and the guys got chased by the very angry black guy in the car. Except that's how it felt ALL DAY. Then I went on exchanges with the Zone Leaders, I went with Elder Call. He's really cool. I enjoyed going with him because he's going home after next transfer so he has a lot of experience. That day was good. Both of my exchanges had something in common though: those are the only days on my mission so far when EVERYTHING has fallen through. Me and Elder Call even had a Service Project fall through. How does that happen? But they were good learning experiences, and I learned about not getting down when everything goes south.

Hey speaking of going South, guess what's happening tomorrow! Elder Perry and Elder Halstrom are coming to do a combined North/South Chicago Mission Conference. It's going to be so Awesome! I'm really excited.

What's new with investigators? Well, Trinidad bought a suit and sang in the choir at stake conference last sunday. The former was a bigger deal than the latter. He really likes to sing. He really doesn't like suits. We also have two investigators who are getting ready to receive a baptismal date. The one is Luis, who is a 16 yr-old kid who is way cool. He wants to serve a mission someday. Elder Witham has been teaching this kid for... well 7 months. So I figure we should probably get him baptized like 4 months ago. The second is named Nicasio. He's really old. And he has been hearing lessons from different missionaries off and on in different states as he's been state-hopping. He doesn't seem to have any doctrinal problems, he just needs to get in the font before he dies. So that's the goal within the next month. Also, Manuel is still working on the whole divorce/remarriage thing, but that will take a while.

Oh, I got to give my first blessing on the mission yesterday... in Spanish. I think I kinda slaughtered the wordage and stuff, but I think she felt the Spirit of what I was trying to say. She was really nervous because her daughter was going into labor that night and she was scared to become a grandma. It was really neat. It was also a really big motivator for me to redouble my attempts at learning Spanish.

Before I have to go, I wanna give a big shout out to my little brother! Happy Birthday on the 28th! The big 15! Holy crap that means that you get your driver's permit this year... That'll be way cool! Haha now Rylee has to share the car... again! I'm really proud of you B and I am glad for the choices that you're making in your life right now. Keep doing what you know is right. And also, keep doing what you know is fun. Sounds like things are going pretty good, doing the wrestling and everything, kickin it with the friends... Sounds like a party! In fact I hope you have a party or something killer like that. Just keep it up and always know who you want to be. Make it a goal so that in four years you will be doing what I'm doing now... Being a personal representative of Jesus Christ our Savior. I know that you can do it. Once I actually have money again I'll totally send you a present with a letter, but that will be a little while, so I'll send a letter today and send a present in proxy once mom and dad send me my new ATM card.

I will write more later today, but my companion is sitting next to me looking very bored, and the Schaumburg district elders want to be gone so I'm gonna go.

Con Mucho Amor,

Elder Green.