Snail Mail 1/26/2009

Hey Family! Okay, so here’s the deal. I spent half an hour or more writing a whole page on Word to send to everyone on email. We were at the library, so the thing had a time limit on it. I figured I’d be fine, so I just kept on writing until I had like only a minute or two left. Then I tried to open my email to send the letter, but the internet connection was so slow, and the time just kept ticking, so I tried to save the document, but it’s a public computer so it just shut off on me before I could save or send it. I talked to the library lady, but she said that it was too late, soooo ….. I have to try and remember everything and send it snail mail. Stupid on my part I know. Next time I’ll take my flash drive, just in case. J Frustrating at the time, but now it’s kind of funny.

So my first week here has been great! My companion is Elder Swenson. Transfers were today, and they decided to keep him as my trainer. It’s my first transfer and his last. J He’s really cool. He’s a lot like me, and we get along quite well. He’s easy going, but he cares a lot – so he’s perfect. He has no fear, and he’s so cheerful, so he gets along with anyone he talks to – so knocking doors isn’t as bad as it would be. His Spanish is really good, and he’s really good at teaching, so I’m happy to be with him and know I’ll learn a lot. He’s really funny too, so I get my daily laugh in.

The apartment is nice, but it’s kind of gross, lol. I’ll have to whip it up into shape – well as much as I can do without replacing stuff. J I sleep on a bunk bed, and so I’m on the bottom. When I got here, there was just some old sheets on the bed, so I bought a blanket to keep warm.

We have an ’07 Corolla to drive – it’s a lot nicer than the one I used to drive, lol. The one we had last week got shaky when we went too fast, so we got a new one today, but it’s the exact same car – both a silver color.


The weather is so nice here, and I love how arm climates smell outside – it reminds me of Arizona. I love palm trees. It did rain a couple days this last week though, but E. Swenson said rain is pretty rare, so I can endure the couple days it does rain. J We went running a couple days this past week as well, so that’s nice.

The first night for dinner we ate at this Mexican Taco place, and E. Swenson convinced me to try one with cow tongue. It didn’t look any different from the regular meat tacos – except if you look close you can see the ridges. It didn’t taste bad – it was just a little softer than normal meat. J E. Swenson topped me by trying buche (stomach) and head meat.

We ate at members’ houses most nights, and I’m really enjoying the Mexican food. I even tried part of a Habanero chili last night – one of the world’s hottest foods. The thing was teeny, but I thought my tongue would fall out. E. Swenson had one too. He said he had one his first week, so he wanted me to as well. It wasn’t just hot, it was pain! Like intense pain for at least a half hour. It just doesn’t go away – pretty intense. At least I can say I’ve tried one now.

We visited a lot of people this week, but all of them were just drop-bys, cause all our appointments were no-shows, lol. We knocked some doors too, so it’s been a good first week. I’m in the city of La Habra, and me and E. Swenson are assigned as Spanish missionaries, so we visit a lot of Spanish people and go to the Spanish ward. It’s the most North area, so we are on the north and west border (of the mission).

I got tired after the first hour of church, trying to figure out what they were saying, so I kind of gave up – haha. It’s frustrating at a member’s house during dinner or whatever when I don’t even know what they’re talking about. But I’ll get better eventually. That’s what senior companions are for – they cover for you. J

It’s just embarrassing when someone asks you a question, and you’re like what? So they repeat it just as fast as last time, and you’re like uhh… I thought I could understand pretty good, but they speak fast and a little slurred. So now I want to tell people “no I don’t speak Spanish,” instead of “a little bit” and then having them talk to you expecting you to understand. Then they ask E. Swenson if I can speak/understand, and he’s like “yeah, he speaks pretty well,” and I’m like “thanks a lot, Swens,” lol.

There was an investigator in this area that got baptized yesterday, so that was cool. He and three other Latinos got baptized into the ward – two young and two adults. The service was in Spanish of course, so I didn’t understand much, but it was nice, and I led the music. It was cool to have a baptism my first week, but it was planned before I even got here, so I don’t really count it.

So I’m here for six weeks at least. Anyway, love you all so much. Thanks for your support. Everyone here is really nice – the mission pres and his wife, my comp, and my 3 other roommates (who just got stuck in a threesome today) – so don’t worry about me.

Love,
Elder Curtis

Snail Mail -- January 20, 2009

It is so beautiful here! When I left SLC it was so hazy I couldn’t see the ground from the plane, but here it is blue skies and sunny around 80 degrees, so I am loving it. President, his wife, and two AP’s picked me up, and we are at the mission home.

They are all so nice and I think President is awesome. He’s really obedient and wants to follow rules, so we can only write family on email and can no longer go to Disneyland my last P-day, but I’m not too worried about that.

I’m going to be in a regular companionship with an elder who used to be in a threesome. I’ve heard great things, so I’m excited to meet him. Transfers are next Monday, so I don’t know if I’ll stay with him, but I’ll do what they want me to do.

My flight was great and this place is heaven, so I’m happy to be here. I love you all so much. The Bartons were a great help and got me all situated, so I’m doing fine. Hope Mom and Dad enjoyed their trip!

Love,

Elder Curtis

Home for 5 Weeks

The last couple weeks at the MTC, Shane met with several doctors and had several tests done, and it was determined that he should come home for a time to address some health issues. So on December 16th (the day Shane was to fly to Anaheim), Shane came home and was released from his mission.

Coming home was his last choice. It was a difficult time. He was basically in limbo, without a job, without being in school, without being on a mission.

But there were some positive things that came out of it. Shane was able to be home for Christmas and go with us to Pittsburgh, PA to visit Ross, Anna, and Tereesah. While there, Shane spent two days serving with the missionaries. And Shane performed some baptisms in the Washington, D.C. temple. In Highland, Shane did some temple work for some of our ancestors.

After having sufficient time to get the medical issues addressed, Shane was set apart as a missionary again and flew to Anaheim on January 20th.