Sunday, November 17, 2013

Email from November 7th and Nov. 14th

(Elder Weiss email on Nov. 7th).  
So this week has gone by quickly. We're always studying and it seems like Spanish is getting easier and easier. We are giving fake lessons to our teachers that pose as investigators, and let me tell ya, its not easy. I understand most of what they say though, and I can get out a lot that I want to say, however, it is still very difficult. One of our teachers keeps falling asleep on me and my companion during our lesson. Super frustrating, but thats that! We just have to change our approach. :)
We got to go to the store on tuesday. It's like a walmart, but its called Serta or something like that. Anything from the US has a 40% tax and then the DR's regular tax is at 18%. So don't complain about the US tax!!!! I pay 58% tax for anything from the US. It makes it all so expensive. However, the ties here are way cool and are around 2 bucks a tie, and they're really nice. So I got a couple of those bad boys. Awwwwya. The temple last week was awesome, and we get to go again in about 30 minutes and I'm way excited. Oh, and tomorrow we get to go to the University to teach real university students about the gospel. Real people...... me and my companion's spanish will be tested tomorrow! We get two book of mormons and like a bazillion pamphlets, so we have to choose the people we think will want a Book Of Mormon. Hopefully that goes well.
It's crazy how I am already in week three here! Man, it's flying by. Oh also, I just was reminded this, its nearly impossible to send stuff down here while I'm in the MTC. Or anywhere for that matter. So I don't need any gifts for christmas, unless you want to send me a card with a couple of bucks in it. Other than that, save your time and money! The only gift I need is to hear from my family, and a strong faith in this gospel. (That was cheesy)
I SAW AN IGUANA! I got a picture too! I might send some pictures later, so be ready! Hahah But ya, Iguana's are everywhere here. It's sweet. And lizards too.
Side note, I am singing a solo in sacrament meeting sunday with the master pianist Elder Cook. It's a combination of Be Still My Soul, and Nearer My God To Thee. Its amazing and I cant wait for Sunday! And my companion and I also get to give the lesson is sunday school.
Anyways, hope life is good, and I hope you guys are continually studying in your scriptures. The Lord continually answers my prayers each and every day through the scriptures. And man oh man is this gospel awesome! I absolutely love it. Yo se que el libro de mormon es verdadero y Jose Smith es una profeta verdadero. Dios es amorosso y Sus Evangelio es muy fantastico y yo se que mi familia son eternas. Love you all, praying for you guys!!!!!!!! Stay strong!!!!
Love
Elder Weiss :)

(Emails from Nov. 14th)
My solo in sacrament was way good! Two of the quorum of the 70 were there, so that was intimidating, but they said I did an amazing job and brought the spirit better than they've felt in a long time. Made me feel super good!
There is the picture! Each of those 4 ties only cost me 2 bucks each. Also, I just got a haircut, so that is in that picture too! Anyways, I love it a lot down here.
Elder Weiss' new ties and haircut
Santo Domingo Temple on the same grounds as the MTC

Iguana!

The elders are way cool, and its really easy to get along with them. I'm still not a huge fan of the whole "wear pants every day" thing, but I'll get used to it. Time to time, the missionaries that are out in the field come to the CCM. They tell us its nothing like we will ever expect. Not sure if that is a good or a bad thing, but I know regardless I will love it!!! Oh, here is a cool little side note. There is an Elder here that his great uncle is President Eyring. His name is Elder Eyring, go figure. Way cool guy, and he looks like the apostle Elder Eyring too.

 I have a cool story finally, so I expect you to share this with the family!!! Prepare yourself....
My companion and I got to go to a college last friday and do some tracting. Absolutely amazing experience. We met a guy who didn't seem to interested to talk to us. He was wearing sunglasses, and never looked at us. As we started talking I felt impressed to ask him if he had ever heard about the book of mormon. For some reason, that peaked his interest. He told us that he did not know what our church was called, but he had found that book and read it with his grandma at his house. He told us he still reads it and wanted to learn more, but didn't know how. He had been praying to God to give him an answer, and then we stumbled into his life. Then my companion gave him the mission home number so that he could be taught by the real missionaries. When he got that number, he took off his sunglasses, and I could literally see his eyes light up. He got really happy and thanked us for being his answers to his prayers. It was truly amazing. And we get to go back to that college again tomorrow, so if he is there I would love to catch up with him!!
I love this gospel. Getting to study it everyday just brings more and more blessings to me. I love all the people I have met. My companion rocks, and so do all the other Elder's here. There are a lot of cool stories from these guys. Next week marks a month of me being out!! Crazy!!!!
KEEP FAITH, especially when life seems difficult. Love you guys!!!!
Elder Weiss :)