October 16th, 2008 (Email)

Hey!
I've received letters from Garrett & fam, Dara Walker, Jackie, Launa and Brittany, several Dear Elders from Elder McBride, and Stake newsletter stuff, so those are the addresses I have.
I've taken all those pills and I'm still using the face stuff. I'm not alone in my war against acne. Everyone fights it in their own way here.
So I don't think the chat scheme via email will work here. I think that the Man watches that pretty closely. They're deadset on me not having contact with you all for 2 years. Oh yeah guess what!?!? When I go to the airport I get to call you! So stick around November 3rd so we can chat for a little bit.
This week's Devotional was AMAZING. Elder Richard G. Scott spoke for an entire hour and it was definitely one of the most amazing talks I've ever heard. And in addition to his amazing talk he shook the hands of over a thousand missionaries, including your's truly! It was a unique experience, shaking the hand of an apostle of God.
Wow I almost forgot about Bob Dylan's new album! Coolbeans! Jealous? Yeah. But hey I've got 2 years worth of hymns to listen to so take that! And John Schmidt and all sorts of cheesy Mormon pop and FM 100 Sunday Morning blah! Rock on!
The temple was refreshing as ever this morning. And the biscuits and gravy was divine.
So Rachel Povey's cousin, Elder Povey.... is in my zone now. He's pretty cool. He could probably crush me with his pinky toe. He's a farm-boy. And the fourth, I repeat the FOURTH Elder Lewis arrived in our zone yesterday.
Weight update: I have broken 130. Probably because I've been lazy with my running this week and I've given in the temptations of 4-Square. But it's all good!
The Spanish is getting better. I'm trying to figure out what "subjunctives" really are and how to remember to use them when actually talking. This week has been a week of almost constantly speaking in Spanish. It's been a week-long "English Fast."
There's at least 3 Canadians in our zone now. I dig Canadians. They all have this laid back attitude about everything and they watch Canadian Idol and Family Ties and the Canadian version of The Office. And I've caught them saying "eh" at least twice now. "Eh" always makes my day.
Yesterday Elder Kemp and I taught this teacher named Hermana (sister) Keller and it was amazing. We taught her the second half of the first lesson and it went well cuz the Spirit was there and we asked lots of questions and she was really responsive and gave us great feedback. She served in whatever part of L.A. is the scary part. East? I dunno, but she said "You're serving in Long Beach? That place is crazy!" She said we'll love it and described Compton to us. She said most of the parts will be like Little Mexico. I'm really excited to go now, but I definitely need to be careful when I'm there. 5'8'' in Compton. Good thing I've got God on my side.
Peace and I LOVE YOU!!!
Love, Tyler