November 8, 2010

¡Buenas!

Thanks for the email and thanks for the journal emails Dad, I am going to see if I can print them off. Unfortunately, the internet cafe we usually go to didn´t have enough computers today so we are in another one.

We will hopefully have baptisms this Saturday. It is really easy to set dates with the people here. The problem is following through with them. I am hoping we will be able to baptize the family of Roberto and Yamileth. Problem is they still need to get married but we are meeting with them today. They are super nice and cool and have known the missionaries for a long time. They fed us on Saturday, like a whole cow. Oh, plus it was my first time eating cow tongue AND cow heart. But I’m going to be honest, it wasn´t too big of a deal. They were stuffing me with cow and came out and said, “Hey, here is some cow tongue” and later, “Hey, here is some cow heart.” To me it was just more cow.

(Sue: Was this the cow???)

The family I am living with is the Burgos'. Their Restaurant is called Beto´s Tipicos. Beto is their son. He served a mission to Nicaragua and later their family moved here from El Salvador. They are super nice and feed me very well. I am afraid I don’t think I have a photo with them yet. But thank you for reminding me, I will take one with them today.

The Burgos' Parrot

The weather here in Boaco is apparently much more fresco (cool) than in places like Managua. But it is still hot all the time to me. Sometimes at night or while it is raining, they will say they are cold. But I´m sweating. It has rained a couple times here but not too much. It rained really hard when we were in Juigalpa for the District Conference my first Sunday. That was when I heard the loudest thunder I have ever heard. But I am starting to get used to the heat and the hills all day.

Our laundry is done every week by an older hermana (sister) who is a member. The first time we got them back, I smelled them and ha ha, well, they may have smelled better before I sent them. But it is great. Funny story, we were walking on our way to a cita (appointment) and I looked to the side and saw some really white clothes hanging up to dry. Then I realized where we were and it was to the side of the house of the sister that does our laundry. Ha ha, turns out they were my underwear drying on a clothes line for everyone to see. Elder Coj and I were laughing for a long time but I don’t know how the President would feel if he knew. I’m pretty sure it’s not good to dry underwear in public.

Elder Coj about to Eat a Gigantic Moth

Yes, we have a cell phone. But Elder Coj gets it because he is the senior companion. Very interesting note about cell phones and stuff here. Everyone has a cell phone... and they are all a lot nicer than any cell phone I have ever had. They all have TV´s too. It is a little ironic that some of the people are having trouble paying for food and water but they have cell phones, a TV, and stereo. Really, I guess it’s the same problem throughout the whole world. Material possessions take too high a priority in our lives.

Our bathing situation is just fine. We have our own bathroom. Only two problems. First, they fill up the water for the city every night. So, sometimes in the morning there is no water and we have to wait before we can use the bathroom. Not that bad. Second, the water is COLD! Which is ok at night after a long hot day, but in the morning, it wakes you up pretty fast.

Picnic on the Cerro

Interesting experience. Today we climbed a cerro (hill) that overlooks Boaco. We invited some kids that are recent converts to come too. It was really fun. We had a picnic at the top and a big old spider came crawling through the middle.

We had a spiritual thought and had everyone find a private spot and say a prayer on top of the mountain. (Elder Coj and I prayed together). We like to quote the "O Jerusalem" quote in Mateo 23:37-39 (Matthew 23:37-39) whenever we are above the main city too. They call Boaco “La Ciudad de Dos Pisos” (the city of two floors.) It is in a big bowl in the mountains.

Thank you for the spiritual thought mom. Thanks for the updates on everyone. I don´t have time now to talk to everyone individually but I Love You.

Love,

Elder Hardy