Week 058 - Bon Bons Are To Be Exchanged For Kisses

Hey - You All.

So to my surprise, as well dad, they do celebrate Valentine ’s Day here in Argentina. Well, I shouldn’t be too surprised. Because love is kind of a universal thing. But, oh well, Valentine’s Day came around, and here it quite literally "the day of love." I quickly came to know it was the day of love. I was actually in Santa Fe and I came into contact with this girl who wanted to give me a bon bon. And of course why should I turn down a free bon bon. I said, “sweet thanks.” And I tried to make my way when she got all frustrated at me as I walked away. Well anyway I guess bon bons are to be exchanged for kisses, I should’ve known, but hey, it was a free bon bon, I was wondering where my companion was when this was all going down, and he said I just wanted to see what would happen." Geeze man.

Well, if you are wondering what I was doing in Santa Fe… I had a kind of emergency transfer. Elder Ramos finished his mission, and now I have a new companion from Brazil. He actually started his mission in 2015, and after 7 months, he had to go home for an injury. And then he received a call on Sunday to come back, so it all works out. He’s kind of funny because he’s got the new missionary excitement vibe but he actually knows how the mission works. And so he keeps asking questions about every detail about Recreo. It’s kind of annoying, but whatever. We should get a bunch of work done.

And since Elder Ramos is gone, they have made me the new “mail man” around here (district leader). So now I get all the lame calls from the missionaries in the district that want to ask simple questions that could’ve been answered if they asked their companion. So as a missionary I have read the manual a few times, and I do know that as district leader, everyone must call me “district leader.” So I’m correcting the district every time they call me Elder Greene, they must call me "District Leader Elder Greene." Oh "Mr. Lider de Distrito Elder Greene". It sounds nice. But this should all be a great experience.

We actually had to go to Santa Fe two times; to receive the announcement, and then to make the exchange of persons the day after, because my companion arrived on Wednesday. So when we figured what was going on Tuesday; that Elder Ramos was leaving, I asked, "Well, what do we do now?" He responded excellently with "McDonalds." Obviously. But for reals, Elder Ramos was the best companion I had my entire mission, I was pretty disappointed that we weren’t going to finish the transfer together. For Elder Ramos, he was going home sooner so he was a little pumped. But his family thought he was coming home tomorrow, and then they thought he was going home in 4 weeks, and now he’s going home tomorrow. Nutz.

So it’s been a rainy week. Luckily I had my fine boots (which a member gave to me like 4 months ago, if you didn’t know) and my new rain jacket...waterproof. Elder Ramos left it for me, and surprisingly, it fits nice, because you know those Peruvians...small. I love the rain way more than the heat. The people of Recreo don’t, because everyone keeps telling us "Go home, it’s raining outside." Thanks.

I love you guys. Wendy and Brian and Myles will be in my prayers, it’s really rough what’s going on. We’ve got a great family to be part of, and I’m sure they are getting the love from that.

And I love the picture of dad and the random Peruvian girl, that’s like the weirdest thing.

Have the greatest week. I love you all.

Elder Greene

Week 057 - Watching What I Say Or What I Do

Hello,

I do appreciate a good word on kindness. I’ve been reading a lot of teachings and talks by Gordon B Hinckley, because he focusses a lot on charity, and being kind to others. He says, if we are sad, or stressed, or mad; it’s because we are being selfish, and we should take the remedy of kindness into our lives. And I have to think about that a lot as I try to not get fired up over others around me. Thinking about watching what I say or what I do. And it can sometimes feel like exhausting work.  But at the end of the day if we are not kind, we look at ourselves as we go to bed and realize we are not happy. I do think about that a lot in the mission field because it is a daily service, which should be daily kindness, and at times I get frustrated or mad, but that should not be the case, should it.

It was a pretty normal week, with a ton of rain. It’s crazy because the old people around here have some kind of rain power. And every time it rains they get all crazy and say "Hey boy! There’s a storm a brewing."  Oh yeah? What makes you say that? “Boy I feel it my bones" Oh Yeah? That makes sense. And then it rains later. Interesting. But I do hope that it is some kind of ability I can grasp onto as I grow older. Because it is important to strengthen our abilities, especially our super human abilities.

We´ve received a new Peruvian in our district, straight outta Lima. And he hasn’t really gotten use to the change in Argentinian accent, because he laughs and tries to correct me on every argentine term, or the way you say a word. For example, “New York” here would be pronounced "Nuevo Shork." And one time I was talking about Nuevo Shork, and every time he sees me, or is with me, he laughs and says “Nuevo Shork,” and everyone around, like members and such, are confused out of their minds.

I really enjoyed sacrament meeting yesterday, because the bishop and stake president spoke, about being self-sufficient spiritually. Which I guess the wards has been lacking lately. It was really awesome, because the stake president really knows how to throw down the hammer and give it to the members; while at the same time, have a comical smile. He read some scripture in the Book of Mormon that talks about how the judgment is near and then he said, "Yeah, that was 2000 years ago when the prophets said that; so get ready guys, we are getting close." Boom boom boom, he was just throwing down scriptures and fire all over the place. It was great. I love that kind of excitement. Especially the happy nodding and agreement Domingo was obviously showing next to me. He approved as he said, "Aww yes. The sin in the world is terrible."

Actually, Domingo got pretty fired up during the Sunday School class, because we were on the subject on the fall of Adam and Eve; which is kind of a complicated subject for others who are not Latter-Day Saints. Because what I’ve heard about a thousand times here, is that Adam and Eve are just the worst.  And so Lalo was teaching the class, and asked what we knew about Adam and Eve? And every recent convert in there, for some reason had no idea, “Yeah, I know nothing in this subject." But of course Domingo knew the answer, "THEY WERE SINNERS!"  Uh… anything else Domingo? "Nope." Then we talked about how Adam and Eve had to leave the presence of God, and he did not agree one bit, and said, "Lalo, if you’re going to teach the class, teach it right. Now let’s have one of these fine ladies tell us how it really is" (pointing over to the sister missionaries). That’s when you just have to give him the old thumbs up, and say, "Good job Domingo. Now let’s listen to the teacher."

By the way, I am totally jealous of your camping trip, and that the Bronco was able to handle the trip without a flaw. I know in the past, we for some reason, always had car troubles on our camping trips. But I look forward to having just the best camping breakfast made by Dad.

Check this… Recreo had some kind of festival, flea market, concert, going on in the plaza. It was totally cool because not much happens here, other than the circus of course; that was tender. But we went, hoping we could find some cool stuff. But everything was highly overpriced.  So we decided we would just buy french fries, which turned out to be highly overpriced as well. I might have to just stick with my own homemade fries; which I have to say, are coming along nice! There is a Canadian missionary, and he told me that in Canada they have "chip wagons." Which is like one of those portable hotdog stands, but sell fries with a bunch of different toppings. And you can just pile up your toppings. Another future idea, along with my empanada stand idea. So many options for the future.

I love you guys and miss you. Dad, have a great trip in Peru. I hear it’s great out there. Just stacked with llamas. I hear so much about llamas It’s ridiculous!

Elder Greene

Week 056 - Wait... Did You Go Outside Naked?

Ok Fellas,

You know that red was a pretty lame color for a room. So I’m glad you guys are changing it. And after a year away from home, you are finally kicking me out of my room. But Katie should know that there are responsibilities to the queen bed; which is … that it’s not actually your bed. It’s the bed of anyone that wants to come over to stay at the Greene residence.

We’ve hit a new transfer here in the ole Santa Fe mission. So I’m stuck with Elder Ramos for a little bit more time. Actually we thought he was going home in about two weeks, but we received a call the other day for Elder Ramos. He was on the phone for about a half hour with President; who called to ask him (tell him) to stay until the end of the transfer. An extra 4 weeks. President pulled some of his smooth talk, and got him to stay. Elder Ramos wasn’t too happy because it pushes all his plans back a few weeks. I thought it was pretty funny, actually hilarious, because this kid is trunky city right now. 4 more weeks of the greatest time of his life. Good thing he won the jackpot; ending it with Elder Greene here.

So the sister missionaries of Recreo have been teaching a 77 year old man named Domingo for quite some time. Actually this guy has been an investigator since like June of last year, so everyone in the ward knows him. But he has recently left la casa feliz (the happy house, a resting home for los viejos), and is living in our area; so we are teaching him now. I can’t wait for this guy to be baptized because he is a golden addition to the church membership of Recreo. I wish you could sit with us during church class; and that you knew Spanish to catch up a bit. But this guy cannot go through a sentence without making a fantastic comment. And he does it all while throwing "the bird" around, because he’s missing a few fingers.

(Argentines are the kings of hand movements and pointing, and it kind of rubs off, so don’t be surprised if I get really into my conversations when I get back)

So… we were sitting in class the other day (two days ago), and we are in Elder’s Quorum talking about home teaching; and it’s just the perfect time for Domingo to come in. Because as a non-member he knows all about home teaching. And so he says, "well I’ve been a man for a long time. In fact my whole life. I am a great grandfather and I’m still alive (yeah he’s a great grandfather and only 77 years old), and as experienced as I am as a father, I know that you are a bunch of women. Was it not God that created Adam before Eve?”

(Just for some info… people are pretty sexist around here, so I’ve heard the Adam before Eve comment plenty of times)

But anyways, he goes on… pointing the bird at the Elders Quorum president, who is a pretty young guy, saying, "now boy, do you have a child?" - "Actually, no. I just have a girlfriend, but I don’t think that’s the subject we want to have now." - "Oh. So you are playing around with the sexuality are you? The sexuality is the definition of sin." -"Well, no. We are about to get married. So, let’s talk about our home teaching companions."...

Actually this next part was pretty awesome too because people have been lame on their home teaching lately. And so he asks Brother Santa Cruz, “Why have you not done your home teaching?” And he says, “My companion has not come to get me to go do it.” Then he asked, “Who is your companion?” And he looks around and finally realizes that his companion is right next to him, and it was Lalo. Then Lalo is asked, “Why do you do your home teaching alone?” And Lalo response and says, “Well, my home teaching companion went inactive." Boom! Totally crushed brother Santa Cruz. I totally died with that response.

But Domingo should be baptized in the near future. He’s pretty ready to be cleansed of his sins. He came up to me and said, "Yesterday, was incredible. I don’t need to be baptized anymore.” And I asked why. He said, "I have been cleansed. At 4 in the morning it started to rain. I couldn’t resist but go grab my shampoo and bathe myself in the rain." I said, "Wait... Did you go outside naked?" He said, “Well, do you think I’m crazy enough to go take a shower with my clothes on?" – “No Domingo. That would be insane if you did that.”

As I’ve been out here for over a year now, I’ve really mastered the clothing hand wash. But I was most impressed with myself this last week. I had actually finished cleaning my whites, feeling like they looked pretty white. But that’s because I took much more time with the cleanse; it was much more vigorous, with a touch of love. But I think the real touch, was the replaying of Franz Ferdinand’s "Take Me Out" through my head while washing.

I was walking through the street when I came across a man. Actually he came across us, because he saw us first and came screaming, "In the name of Jesus, bless you Men of God, who have come to bring the Word of God." I was flattered, so I paused to see what this praising man had to say. But I couldn’t really understand what he had to say. He just started talking and talking, and it didn’t really make any sense to me. But about 20 to 30 minutes later, he finally came to a close. And so I gave my favorite response to something I didn’t really understand, "Wow. Bueno." I wished him a fine day, and he said he would come to church. Which he didn’t. Liar. It actually turns out he was reciting all of a chapter of Psalms, I haven’t gotten around to reading too much of Psalms. But I’m sure the one he was reciting was a good one.

Just the norm here in Recreo.

Sergio and Rosia are doing great. We’ve been teaching them all great lessons. With we as missionaries teaching; and recently we taught the subject of temples, and that’s something that really got their attention and they are excited about.

I love you guys, have the best week!

Elder Greene