Dear Family,
Jeff Despain is coming - no way!!! That will be awesome! Yeah, I have more than enough advice to give him. Wow, that is so cool.
This week has been pretty good. We had two baptisms that went really well. I felt like I could really see a major difference in them afterwards - which was awesome. We should have at least three more by the end of this transfer! I have been really lucky and blessed that the baptisms are going so well.
We are currently working with the uncle of Marin whose name is Kiko and his wife Fatima and their family. They should be getting their papers to get married this week which would be sweet. Also, Marin's mother Mertha, has a baptismal date for the 8th of this month.
So Emily graduated from BYU huh? That is crazy talk. I don't believe it. That is cool that she is going to work for the Liahona too. I think it would be awesome to work for the church.
It is getting waaaaayyy hot over here. I haven't really stopped sweating for 2 weeks, and it doesn't help that it keeps raining. But, oh well - who am I trying to impress here anyways right?! About the Mother's Day call, whenever you want is when I can do it. That is the rule here - so I will make room in the schedule for whenever you need.
Sorry this e-mail is short. The computer keeps powering on and off and I am getting a little frustrated calling the guy over here all the time.
Love, Elder McBride
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Time Flies
Dear Family,
Hey, I am glad you got to talk to Micah and Brother Dickerson! I hope Micah enjoyed the experience. Oh, and before I forget - I don't use photobucket because I can't. It is against mission rules to use another website other than this one. Brother Dickerson's nephew had a different mission president than I do and so he had different rules and stuff. I think I will just keep sending a few pics with e-mail and then send an sd card home quarterly so you can keep all of the pics safe.
So don't worry or anything about the money situation. I drew some money out finally. I think that the ATM I was trying to use just wasn't working right - but now I have money, and they also reimbursed me. The x-rays didn't cost that much, but there was also doctor labor and meds that I had to pay for that drained me a little bit. But no worries now because I'm back to 185 pounds, which was my average before my mission but ya . . . I think I might be just a little bit taller now too.
The shoes are great! I have heard a lot of good things about Hushpuppies and so far, so good. They are way comfortable and are supposed to last forever, so we'll see. The thing about Valiente is that there are no paved roads, so we walk on dirt and coral all day, and the coral does some nasty things to your shoes I have found out form Elder Campbell's shoes. So, I am wearing my crappiest pair of shoes 24/7 with my holey socks and when I leave this area I will leave those behind and be able to use some nice new shoes that might hold up a little better somewhere else.
So we are going to have 3 baptisms this Saturday - woohoo! That will meet our goal for this month of a baptism every week! We will be a 4, and we are also working on marrying another couple and hopefully that will all get resolved and they can get baptized before the end of this transfer. So, hopefully we sill be able to meet the transfer goal of 6. Speaking of transfers - I get to call you on this one Momma! Mother's Day is actually the last day of this transfer, which is also the day that we get our calls about transfers. So, I am thinking that it will need to be sometime in the afternoon, but it is really up to you - so find a good time so that we can work this out a little bit beforehand.
Elder Campbell and I are still getting along great and working hard. I have started studying my Spanish better this transfer, and I think that it is getting even better! I want to speak like a flawless Dominican when I get back, so we'll see I guess.
That is about it for this week - we didn't have anything too exciting. I rained a lot. We have interviews with the president this week and that is always cool - by yeah, everyone have a good week and I will write again next week!
Elder McBride
Hey, I am glad you got to talk to Micah and Brother Dickerson! I hope Micah enjoyed the experience. Oh, and before I forget - I don't use photobucket because I can't. It is against mission rules to use another website other than this one. Brother Dickerson's nephew had a different mission president than I do and so he had different rules and stuff. I think I will just keep sending a few pics with e-mail and then send an sd card home quarterly so you can keep all of the pics safe.
So don't worry or anything about the money situation. I drew some money out finally. I think that the ATM I was trying to use just wasn't working right - but now I have money, and they also reimbursed me. The x-rays didn't cost that much, but there was also doctor labor and meds that I had to pay for that drained me a little bit. But no worries now because I'm back to 185 pounds, which was my average before my mission but ya . . . I think I might be just a little bit taller now too.
The shoes are great! I have heard a lot of good things about Hushpuppies and so far, so good. They are way comfortable and are supposed to last forever, so we'll see. The thing about Valiente is that there are no paved roads, so we walk on dirt and coral all day, and the coral does some nasty things to your shoes I have found out form Elder Campbell's shoes. So, I am wearing my crappiest pair of shoes 24/7 with my holey socks and when I leave this area I will leave those behind and be able to use some nice new shoes that might hold up a little better somewhere else.
So we are going to have 3 baptisms this Saturday - woohoo! That will meet our goal for this month of a baptism every week! We will be a 4, and we are also working on marrying another couple and hopefully that will all get resolved and they can get baptized before the end of this transfer. So, hopefully we sill be able to meet the transfer goal of 6. Speaking of transfers - I get to call you on this one Momma! Mother's Day is actually the last day of this transfer, which is also the day that we get our calls about transfers. So, I am thinking that it will need to be sometime in the afternoon, but it is really up to you - so find a good time so that we can work this out a little bit beforehand.
Elder Campbell and I are still getting along great and working hard. I have started studying my Spanish better this transfer, and I think that it is getting even better! I want to speak like a flawless Dominican when I get back, so we'll see I guess.
That is about it for this week - we didn't have anything too exciting. I rained a lot. We have interviews with the president this week and that is always cool - by yeah, everyone have a good week and I will write again next week!
Elder McBride
Taylor in front of Christopher Columbus statue
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Writing Again Already!
Before I post Taylor's letter I need to explain some things so that you all know what he is talking about. Derrick Dickerson is a dentist in our ward who goes and does charity dental work in other countries. He went to the Dominican Republic a year or two ago and had another trip planned for last week. He is also our neighbor and Taylor's old Priest teacher. Hee took along Savannah, his 12 year old daughter (Taylor was her Primary teacher!) and Micah Mangum - one of the Priests in our ward. Derrick contacted Taylor's mission president and got permission to see Taylor and leave Micah with him to do some splits. We were all very excited about this! I was especially excited and grateful that I was able to send some things for Taylor :)
Hello!
So it is P-day again today! It was a really cool p-day. We went to this HUGE park called Parque del Este and played soccer! It was so fun playing with all of the South Americans here. They were all really good, but I am proud to say that I've still "got it" and I held my own on defense. Everyone was calling me the brick wall. So, yes - that means that I was running around on my ankle. It feels a lot better and I am wearing a brace just to be careful. After that we went to Taco Bell! I didn't realize how much I had missed that place! It is sooooooooooo good. You all need to appreciate it if you have one close by.
So the little mini-mission with Micah was awesome! It was a little bit of a slow day, but I think we gave him a pretty good taste of what missionary work is like here! Not gonna lie though - it was pretty weird seeing everyone. Not that it made me homesick or anything, but it just was - I don't know . . . weird (good weird). I was kind of in another world both times I got to talk to Brother Dickerson. Oh, and when he pulled out the little video camera to give you guys a little message, I didn't know what to do . . . I didn't know what to say or anything so I just kind of babbled for a little bit. It was a good experience - and don't worry mom, the cookies were amazing! Same with the jelly beans! I knew that one kind was Starburst flavor, but what was the other kind? Like Spree or something? Oh, and Micah gave me his headlamp that he had packed, so if you guys could pay him for it that would be awesome.
The missionary work is going really well in Valiente. We had our baptism of Yosmil on Saturday and he was confirmed the next day. We have three more baptismal dates planned out too. And, we are also working with an awesome family who all came to church, but we can't set a date until we get the married - so we are working on that. The ward here is so strong! I actually felt spiritually enlightened in Sacrament meeting - something that I hadn't felt in a long time. Here, it is almost guaranteed that the investigators will like the church, whereas in Monte Plata - oftentimes I was embarrassed about it.
One of the members here is named Marin and he grew up in New York and moved here with his family when he was about 20. He has been here for about 4 years now and got baptized a few months ago. We have been working a lot with his mom, and she came to church on Sunday. She told us that of all the churches in the world she has been to (which is just about all of them - they have lived all over the world) that she likes this one the best and she thinks that she will be coming back! She is pretty awesome, so we will see how things go with her.
I love you all and have a good week! Tell Ben Barnett that I said congratulations on his baptism!
Hello!
So it is P-day again today! It was a really cool p-day. We went to this HUGE park called Parque del Este and played soccer! It was so fun playing with all of the South Americans here. They were all really good, but I am proud to say that I've still "got it" and I held my own on defense. Everyone was calling me the brick wall. So, yes - that means that I was running around on my ankle. It feels a lot better and I am wearing a brace just to be careful. After that we went to Taco Bell! I didn't realize how much I had missed that place! It is sooooooooooo good. You all need to appreciate it if you have one close by.
So the little mini-mission with Micah was awesome! It was a little bit of a slow day, but I think we gave him a pretty good taste of what missionary work is like here! Not gonna lie though - it was pretty weird seeing everyone. Not that it made me homesick or anything, but it just was - I don't know . . . weird (good weird). I was kind of in another world both times I got to talk to Brother Dickerson. Oh, and when he pulled out the little video camera to give you guys a little message, I didn't know what to do . . . I didn't know what to say or anything so I just kind of babbled for a little bit. It was a good experience - and don't worry mom, the cookies were amazing! Same with the jelly beans! I knew that one kind was Starburst flavor, but what was the other kind? Like Spree or something? Oh, and Micah gave me his headlamp that he had packed, so if you guys could pay him for it that would be awesome.
The missionary work is going really well in Valiente. We had our baptism of Yosmil on Saturday and he was confirmed the next day. We have three more baptismal dates planned out too. And, we are also working with an awesome family who all came to church, but we can't set a date until we get the married - so we are working on that. The ward here is so strong! I actually felt spiritually enlightened in Sacrament meeting - something that I hadn't felt in a long time. Here, it is almost guaranteed that the investigators will like the church, whereas in Monte Plata - oftentimes I was embarrassed about it.
Here's Mom again: I want to insert a paragraph that Taylor wrote in a letter a short while back.
"It is really hard to have a ward that doesn't function very well. If I could trade one thing about my mission for a stateside mission, it wouldn't be running water, it wouldn't be electricity, it wouldn't even be clean food. I don't even care about those things anymore. It would be a ward where the members have testimonies, and know the doctrine of the church. It has really made me want to be involved in missionary work when I get home too - because I know how it is to lack member support."
Elder Campbell is still really cool. We have a lot in common. More than any of my other companions so far - and because we are both really young, we work together as a team really well and teach a lot more 50/50. We are both pretty dedicated, so the work has been going really well here and I'm sure that we will meet the missions goal. Well, because it feels like I just wrote you, it seem like there isn't that much more to say . . .
One of the members here is named Marin and he grew up in New York and moved here with his family when he was about 20. He has been here for about 4 years now and got baptized a few months ago. We have been working a lot with his mom, and she came to church on Sunday. She told us that of all the churches in the world she has been to (which is just about all of them - they have lived all over the world) that she likes this one the best and she thinks that she will be coming back! She is pretty awesome, so we will see how things go with her.
I love you all and have a good week! Tell Ben Barnett that I said congratulations on his baptism!
Love, Elder McBride
Yosmil's Baptism
Micah trying to stay cool at lunch!
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
Valiente - My New Area
Hello!
Hey! So sorry it has been so long. We went to the temple today, so that means our P-Day got pushed back a few days, and we don't find out until the day before - so I can't really warn you about these kinds of things. But . . . my new area is great! There are a ton of members and a lot of good investigators! We are going to have a baptism this Saturday and we already have two more planned - so we should be getting quite a few this transfer. I was not really wanting to leave Monte Plata, but I didn't even realize how hard of an area it was until I got here. Everyone is interested and can read :) so it is awesome! I don't really miss it quite so much anymore.
So Valiente is a small beach town kind of in between the capitol and another pretty big city called Boca Chica. It definitely isn't like capitol status or anything. We only have dirt roads (again) and don't have most of the commodities of city life. For example, we didn't have power my first 4 days here (which reminds me -next time you send a package, could you send a head lamp please? They are really useful here). Power has left again for an extended time period, so all of my clothes are dirty and there is nothing I can do about it except hand wash (in all the time we don't have!) But . . . I would gladly sacrifice all of that for the sweet members we have here. So as a beach town - we have a beach! Right at the end of town is the freeway, and past that is the beach and the water is so incredibly blue . . . sooooo tempting.
Conference was really good I thought, but not quite as pertinent to my calling as a missionary which was a little bit of a bummer. But hey - I got a lot of info that I will need on parenting right? It was crazy though. We don't have a chapel where I am at. We just met in a house, so at conference, we went over to the neighboring town's chapel and pretty much camped out there for 2 days with the missionaries over there. One of the missionaries in Boca Chica is brand new this transfer and his name is Elder Sunderhaus from Red Mountain High. I guess he played volleyball with Trevor, Joey, Jackson, Robert and all of them. So we kind of have tons of friends in common. Alex probably should know who he is. A tall, wiry, red haired kid. He is pretty legit and it's pretty cool to have another AZ buddy.
So my companion's name is Elder Campbell from SLC, UT! He is still really young in the mission too, around a transfer older than me - and so it is pretty cool because we are pretty much equals when we teach and stuff. Oh! He was also pretty into weight lifting before his mission, but both of us have slacked off here on our missions just doing some push ups and sit ups. But we found a house where we can lift weights in the morning and we have been kicking each other's butts hard core to get back in shape. We get up at like 5:30 so we can get a good workout in, and we have been soooo sore! We probably look ridiculous, because we promised ourselves that working out wouldn't slow down our missionary efforts - so we just hobble down the streets as fast as our sore legs can take us. But, it's good for me - I needed it. But ya, since we are both so young in the mission, we both have good attitudes and we work hard over here studying and preaching. It's been pretty cool. Well, actually really hot :) . . . Since we are by the beach, it gets soooo hot and sweaty. That part isn't fun, but hey, what can you do?
So don't worry momma, my ankle is getting a lot better. Still a little big, but doesn't hurt much. But the thing is, I had to spend a lot of money getting it checked out, and mission reimbursements take FOREVER to get back. So, I have been living off about 60 pesos a day ($2) because I don't have money and am on my last 25 pesos as we speak. I tried to take some out of my home account, but there was nothing in it , so I have been doing my best and hopefully you will be able to put some money in soon (we put some in on Monday). Hopefully the mission reimbursement will come soon. I can check the ATM tomorrow so I guess we will see. If not, I will keep on my scoop of rice and an egg diet until then.
I'm glad Easter was good! To be honest, I kind of forgot it was Easter for a while until they talked about it in conference. It was kind of cool to cut all the cutesie bunnies and pastel colors out and concentrate on the real meaning though. That is the most important day in this world's history. I love my Savior and I know He lives again!
So I heard about the earthquake in Mexico a little! I didn't know you would be able to feel it in Gilbert! Was there a lot of damage in Mexico? Did many people die? The earth is going to crack in two or something - I swear.
Well, that's all for now! I gotta go meet Brother Dickerson and Micah somewhere! It's gonna be awesome!
Love, Elder McBride
Hey! So sorry it has been so long. We went to the temple today, so that means our P-Day got pushed back a few days, and we don't find out until the day before - so I can't really warn you about these kinds of things. But . . . my new area is great! There are a ton of members and a lot of good investigators! We are going to have a baptism this Saturday and we already have two more planned - so we should be getting quite a few this transfer. I was not really wanting to leave Monte Plata, but I didn't even realize how hard of an area it was until I got here. Everyone is interested and can read :) so it is awesome! I don't really miss it quite so much anymore.
Elder Campbell & Elder McBride
So Valiente is a small beach town kind of in between the capitol and another pretty big city called Boca Chica. It definitely isn't like capitol status or anything. We only have dirt roads (again) and don't have most of the commodities of city life. For example, we didn't have power my first 4 days here (which reminds me -next time you send a package, could you send a head lamp please? They are really useful here). Power has left again for an extended time period, so all of my clothes are dirty and there is nothing I can do about it except hand wash (in all the time we don't have!) But . . . I would gladly sacrifice all of that for the sweet members we have here. So as a beach town - we have a beach! Right at the end of town is the freeway, and past that is the beach and the water is so incredibly blue . . . sooooo tempting.
Conference was really good I thought, but not quite as pertinent to my calling as a missionary which was a little bit of a bummer. But hey - I got a lot of info that I will need on parenting right? It was crazy though. We don't have a chapel where I am at. We just met in a house, so at conference, we went over to the neighboring town's chapel and pretty much camped out there for 2 days with the missionaries over there. One of the missionaries in Boca Chica is brand new this transfer and his name is Elder Sunderhaus from Red Mountain High. I guess he played volleyball with Trevor, Joey, Jackson, Robert and all of them. So we kind of have tons of friends in common. Alex probably should know who he is. A tall, wiry, red haired kid. He is pretty legit and it's pretty cool to have another AZ buddy.
So my companion's name is Elder Campbell from SLC, UT! He is still really young in the mission too, around a transfer older than me - and so it is pretty cool because we are pretty much equals when we teach and stuff. Oh! He was also pretty into weight lifting before his mission, but both of us have slacked off here on our missions just doing some push ups and sit ups. But we found a house where we can lift weights in the morning and we have been kicking each other's butts hard core to get back in shape. We get up at like 5:30 so we can get a good workout in, and we have been soooo sore! We probably look ridiculous, because we promised ourselves that working out wouldn't slow down our missionary efforts - so we just hobble down the streets as fast as our sore legs can take us. But, it's good for me - I needed it. But ya, since we are both so young in the mission, we both have good attitudes and we work hard over here studying and preaching. It's been pretty cool. Well, actually really hot :) . . . Since we are by the beach, it gets soooo hot and sweaty. That part isn't fun, but hey, what can you do?
So don't worry momma, my ankle is getting a lot better. Still a little big, but doesn't hurt much. But the thing is, I had to spend a lot of money getting it checked out, and mission reimbursements take FOREVER to get back. So, I have been living off about 60 pesos a day ($2) because I don't have money and am on my last 25 pesos as we speak. I tried to take some out of my home account, but there was nothing in it , so I have been doing my best and hopefully you will be able to put some money in soon (we put some in on Monday). Hopefully the mission reimbursement will come soon. I can check the ATM tomorrow so I guess we will see. If not, I will keep on my scoop of rice and an egg diet until then.
I'm glad Easter was good! To be honest, I kind of forgot it was Easter for a while until they talked about it in conference. It was kind of cool to cut all the cutesie bunnies and pastel colors out and concentrate on the real meaning though. That is the most important day in this world's history. I love my Savior and I know He lives again!
So I heard about the earthquake in Mexico a little! I didn't know you would be able to feel it in Gilbert! Was there a lot of damage in Mexico? Did many people die? The earth is going to crack in two or something - I swear.
Well, that's all for now! I gotta go meet Brother Dickerson and Micah somewhere! It's gonna be awesome!
Love, Elder McBride
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