WHAT? - HALF DONE ALREADY!

Dear Family!
  
Sorry that the e-mail is coming a little bit late today.  We headed over to La Romana last night and are just getting back now because we had Zone unity stuff to start out the transfer - including a soccer game in which I scored the winning goal!
  
Thank you so much for all of the birthday stuff!  It was an awesome birthday even though I was so far away from everyone.  Mom, I got my birthday package and my half-way package when I went to the Capitol to pick up Elder Sunderhaus - so don't worry.  I didn't get the one from Chelsea though . . . sorry Chels.  The birthday package was so full of good stuff that I didn't even know what to do!  I especially appreciated the kit to make animal balloons!  I never would have even thought of asking for those, but they make the best little gifts for the little kids on the streets!  I am going to start doing that for the little member kids in the branch and I will be sure to send home pictures.  Elder Sunderhaus and I did end up going to Tony Romas for my birthday and WOW . . . it was amazing. :)  I had a blue cheese bacon burger and he got the half-rack of ribs - and we switched part way through to try the other's meal.  We also had onion rings and they brought out a big free ice cream brownie at the end for my b-day!  After all of that excitement it was a normal day of work, but it was a good time.  :)

 Elder Sunderhaus

My Bacon Blue Cheeseburger!

So this past week has been awesome with Elder Sunderhaus!  We get along great already and our only major problem is that we talk way too long into the night about all of the people we have in common and things like that.  He was way pumped when he found out that Trevor is going to Nicaragua and that Rob is going to Mexico.  They should all do great and we can all speak Spanish when we go home!  We are working super hard and being really obedient and clean.  Finally . . . a clean companion!  As a missionary, you find out a lot of things about yourself and I have realized that I am a pretty clean guy.  Unfortunately, most of my companions haven't been - and I refuse to clean up after them.  I even watched ants form an ant hill on a dirty plate of Elder _____________'s one time.  Gross Right?  Anyways, Elder Sunderhaus and I gave the house a good deep clean and we plan on keeping it that way!  We also decided to mess around with the hot water heater and it works now!  I can't express how wonderful a hot shower feels - even if it is really hot outside.  There is just something about it. :)
  
So when I went to transfers on Tuesday, I got to say hi to Elder Despain again!  He is doing great and was super excited to get started!  He said, "I feel like my entire life has just been building up to this moment", and he kind of looked amazingly filled with joy.   I took him one of my favorite ties and gave it to him to get him started on his missionary collection.  He will probably have a million more in no time, but I was the first!  His trainer is Elder Blake and he is downtown in the Capitol in the Santo Domingo Zone/Stake. - somewhere I have never been . . . I think I am doomed to stay far away from everyone for my whole mission.  I don't really know Elder Blake very well.  He is in Elder Campbell's (my old companion) group - so he has been out about 15 months now.  The only interaction I have really had with him has been kicking a soccer ball in his face as he was playing goalie a few months ago.  From that act of bravery and dedication, I am sure that he is the kind of missionary that gives 100%!  But, always remember, the trainer doesn't make the missionary.
  
You asked how we got to spend time at that resort on our P-Day.  There is a semi-active member in our ward who is from Venezuela.  He is the Number 2 guy at the hotel and resorts RIU in the Dominican Republic.  He hooked us up with an all-access day pass and let us roam around free for the day!  It was soooooooo beautiful!  If you do come here, I would highly, highly recommend it.  We ate a ton of amazing food and played some sand court volleyball (don't worry - not on the beach) and just enjoyed the luxury and all that.  Probably the best P-Day in the history of all missionaries ever!  (It's amazing how different the circumstances are in the different areas Taylor has been in.  In Monte Plata, his first area, it was in the jungle and I felt like he was in the middle of Africa.  Now, look at him now in Punta Cana.  What a difference!)
     
The Stake President came last week and talked with me and asked for recommendations for new leadership in the Branch and he amazingly took my advice.  The Branch President is the same, but he put in two new counselors and a secretary who came a few amount of times.  I think that with their new responsibilities that they will step up their behavior and be the leaders we need.  I hope . . .  President Antivilo just wanted me to focus all of my time and talents on the missionary work because doing the stuff that I was doing was cutting into all of my proselyting time and just not stuff a missionary should have to worry about.  So, I am EXCITED!
  
That is way cool about Cole's mission call - and Brandee and Mason getting married, and all of the other stuff that is going on back at home!  Sorry that I don't have a lot of time to comment on it, but just know that I am paying attention!  I love you all so much!

Elder McBride

Just wanted to post some pics to contrast all 3 areas

Looking out the window in Monté Plata

Outside in Valienté

Taylor's Church/Home in Bávaro