Zone Conference and Good luck to Jared!

The Rosario Oeste zone at zone conference, May 26, 2010. Although 3 zones were there, each zone was
photographed separately.

MTC buddies meet again at zone conference: Elders Anderson, Towner and Hanson

Since the missionaries aren't allowed to carry their cameras most of the time, I think Eric is trying to get creative in coming up with pictures to send us. This is the cover of his notebook as it sits on his desk.

Eric's pencil cup, which at one time held ice cream. The Pez dispenser is something we had sent him at Christmastime, because he loves the penguins in the Disney movie "Madagascar."

Hey family,

What's up!! Wow, a lot's happened here since I last emailed, and it sounds like a lot has happened on your end, too!

I loved the pictures you sent me of Jared and his family, that's awesome, I can't believe he had his farewell yesterday and is about to leave!!! I think it's way cool, too, to think that we both gave a talk in church on the Holy Ghost at the same time!! What an awesome topic!!! I'm glad to hear that everything went well for Jared and his family.

I too enjoyed giving my talk, and it went well. I hope it was a little bit of a good example for the people. When people here give talks, they don't really know how to do it. A typical Argentine talk consists of walking up to the pulpit with your "Principles of the Gospel" and reading it directly, word for word. Sometimes the people will add their two cents in after some of the points. So it's not common for them to hear a talk with stories, examples, and outside resources. PS to Dad, thank you for all the good stuff you send me, the material you sent me about the Holy Ghost (the one called "Living by the Spirit") really helped me prepare for this talk a lot.

We just got back from playing soccer with three zones, it was a blast!!! Also, we ate at the buffet. Also, I got more letters! I haven't even been able to thank everyone for all the letters that I received last Wednesday at zone conference! THANK YOU TO EVERYONE!! That's the great thing about having the office elders in your zone. All mail is sent to the offices (Mission Home) and so the elders who are close by can get their mail EVERY WEEK!!!! Today I got a dearelder from Mom and Aunt Lisa, they were great!! And a letter from Dad written only two weeks ago!!! Last week I got lots of letters from everyone, from parents, Aunt Stacey, etc. I got the six-month anniversary card of being on my mission with the pictures, I loved it. And I received the PACKAGE!! The package was "de diez" or "de diez puntos" or just awesome!!! I loved everything in it, the vitamins and the muffin mix and candy and oatmeal packets and everything. (I've been having a nice bowl of oatmeal every night so far.) I loved the Rubik's cube, of course! Well, I was so happy to get my package and I still am loving it. There's no substitute for the Spirit when it comes to feelings of peace and joy, but next in line is PACKAGES!!!! So, THANK YOU!!! :)

I loved the bouncy balls and gave away a couple to a struggling, recently converted young family with two very young and wildly uncontrollable kids/babies. It was so great to see the happiness between the parents and kids as they played with the balls together.

Anyway, the same day I got my package, I learned how the Argentine doorbell system works. People use either knocking, clapping or doorbells to let you know they are at your door, just depending on how your house is set up. But that doesn't work here for us because we are on the second floor and we don't have a doorbell. Well, so what do they do??? While opening my package I hear a big THUNK on our roof, and then something rolling down, and then another! I thought we were under attack, ha ha! I went outside to find a delivery guy there just hanging out waiting for us, not feeling guilty or mischevious or anything, just acting like he had done the normal thing. Well, the next day the ice cream guy was going by (a different guy) and he did the exact same thing, he threw rocks on our roof, too! So yes, Argentines throw rocks on roofs as doorbells, can you believe it! There are so many little quirky things like this that I could tell you all day, and I hope to be able to, but I still have so much to write about and the time goes so fast!

Dad said in one of his letters that you were all going to go motorcycling. I miss my dirtbike a lot, and I would really love to hear how it all went!!!

I was glad to hear that Grandpa's surgery was a huge success, I'm very happy about that!

Yes, I have seen Elder Eldred although I haven't really been able to talk to him, but he's a great guy.

Dad, what's this I hear that you are considering buying a mac computer? As an ordained missionary, I'm going to call you to repentance and exhort you to change your ways, ha ha. PC's only!

I was able to buy a beanie (hat), gloves and a scarf today, so I'm all set for winter! It's already quite cold, I wore them all day.

It seems every time I travel that something tries to stop me. Last week it was the fighting dogs in the terminal. Well, this week our colectivo (bus) died, and pretty dramatically, out in the middle of Rosario. The engine just dropped, it sounded like the whole bottom of the colectivo just snapped and fell to the ground, so we had to get out and walk quite a ways. That's okay, we're used to it, we walk everywhere in Casilda.

We had our zone conference last week, it was a blast, and we learned a lot by having spiritual lessons and things. Three zones were there. Hanging out with good ol' MTC buddies was so fun. I'm pretty sure everyone else thought we were crazy we talked and laughed so hard, just talking about the good old MTC. I really miss the MTC and almost wish I could go back there sometimes! I think that's how my whole mission will be when I look back, I've had so many fun experiences here. Well, Elder Towner and Elder Anderson are doing great, and we already planned a reunion for when we get back, at my house and Towner's, so Mom, be ready!!!! Seeing them really brings back memories of the beginning, kind of how I feel when I see my "dad" (Elder Peterson) every week!

Did I mention that I did divisions with Elder Peterson a week or two ago? It was sooooooooo fun and we found an awesome family in his area who I know is going to be baptized in the future. After we taught them (this time I taught half the lesson and could respond to all questions myself, having more time in the mission now), the spirit was so strong that I know they'll be baptized. Well, they're planning it and Elder Peterson tells me they pass by a lot and they can't wait for their baptism!

Let me again say thank you to everyone for all letters, packages, emails, prayers, everything you've done and do, and just for being in my life. I love you all and hope the best for all.

Congratulations to Jared on his call and his successful farewell, knowing him they'll have to close the area after he's finished his mission because everyone will be baptized!!

Well, love you all, thinking of you all, and will write you next week!

Eric

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