From: Elder Joshua Freeman
Subject: Everything in this country is pirated
Date: 22 November 2004 8:01:48 AM EST

ÁHola!

How are you guys doing? This past week was pretty full of staff, being Elder NicholsÕ last week in It‡. We were all over the place.

Last Monday, we only had a P-Morning, because we had to go work in the afternoon. We went to RuthÕs and finished teaching her the last lesson, and that went well. After that, we got a call from the Karns because they were coming through and wanted to talk to the Largostas (they make leather jackets and Elder Karn wants a flight jacket, because heÕs a helicopter pilot) and BlasÕ, so we took them and translated for them. Then we went and talked to an old investigator, and then went to the Flia. QuintanaÕs and talked to them about obeying the commandments and following the prophet. After that, we went and visited with the Flia. Olmedo, and then went and talked with Lino for a little bit. And we got fallar-ed a couple of times before we came home.

On Tuesday morning, we had our last Zone Meeting with all the Zone, and that was pretty normal. In the afternoon, it rained a little. Javier came with us to work for a while, and we went to BlasÕ and watched the ÒRestorationÓ video with him. That went really well. After that, we went to RuthÕs and planned the baptism with them. Then we got fallar-ed a few times and did some buscaring and got in a lesson 1. After that, we went by the LargotaÕs real quick and then went to the Flia. MattesichÕs and shared a little with them. And then we came home. 

On Wednesday, Elder Manwill came to do RuthÕs baptismal interview, and while he and Elder Nichols were doing that, I went with Elder Graff (they were doing divisions) and made the program. After that, we went to the Flia. Mart’nezÕ and shared a little with them before going to the L—pezÕ for lunch. In the afternoon, we went to the Flia. EstigarribiaÕs and talked to them for the first time in a while. We canÕt do much more with the Hno. He pretty much has to come to church in order to progress, which means arranging something with his boss or quitting his job and finding a new one. So weÕll see what he does. In any case, after that, we went to the Flia. CaballeroÕs, and Antonio was home early for work, so we stopped and shared a little. Then we went to the church for Consejo de Rama only to find out that there wasnÕt any this week. We were misinformed. But that was alright, because then we had tome to go to the Flia. MaldonadoÕs and visit with them. Then on our way home, we stopped by the VegaÕs to set up a cita and they gave us empanadas. Then we came home.

On Thursday morning, we got to go to the temple. Our zone went with Zone 7 and some of Zone 5. The session was really good, and I liked it a lot. After we were done, we took some pictures and then we got to eat in Burger King, which is just across the street. Then we came home and went to work. We went and finished the baptismal program and made copies, and then we went to RuthÕs to make sure everything was still good with them. Then we went by LinoÕs and talked to him about the Plan of Salvation, and Elder Nichols said goodbye to him. Then we went to the Flia. VegaÕs. They made some food for us, and we ate. Also, their dad is a mariachi and the youngest daughter, Nadia, is 6, and sheÕs a really strong singer. ItÕs funny to watch her because she totally acts like an adult. But anyway, they sang me a happy birthday song, and we took a picture with their sombreros. And then we came home. Also, Pte. Gavarret called and wished me a happy birthday. That was nice of him. But yeah, that was my day.

On Friday morning, we met up with Ruth and her family and a couple friends and Javier and went to Yaguar—n for her baptism. It went pretty well. We came home just in time to go to the LargostaÕs for lunch. In the afternoon, we were going to visit some members in a kind of far place called Curupicayty, but no one who knows where they live could go with us, so we couldnÕt. So we went by BlasÕ so Elder Nichols could see all the stuff he had asked for. Then we went to the Flia. QuintanaÕs and Elder Nichols said goodbye to them. Then we went by a few other peoplesÕ houses without being able to get a charla. Then we went to JavierÕs and talked to his mom about prayer and the fact that Christ is our only Mediator with our Heavenly Father, so thereÕs no need to pray to Mary to save the soul of your mom that died a year ago. IÕm not quite sure it all penetrated, though. After that, we went and visited the Flia. Olmedo and Elder Nichols said goodbye to them. Then we went and visited the Flia. Maldonado and the Flia. Caballero and did pretty much the same thing. 

Saturday was pretty much the same thing, saying goodbye to people all morning. We also had time to buscar a little before going to the Flia. Fern‡ndezÕ and having lunch with them. In the afternoon, we went to choir practice and some of the members did a little goodbye party-ish kinda thing with Elder Nichols. After that, we went and said goodbye to some more members. Then we went to Las Piedras to have dinner with the Flia. Silvero. Javier also went with us. We had rice and duck. The ducks here are different, theyÕre really ugly and they donÕt swim much, mostly just walked around. So it tasted more like chicken. And after that we came home.

On Sunday morning, we had church, and that was all pretty normal. After church, we went and had lunch with Javier and Martina, and that was pretty good. Then we went and said goodbye to Guido and his family and the Taboadas, and then Guido brought us home and we studied. In the afternoon, we got fallar-ed and then went and visited the Flia. Mart’nez, the Flia. G—mez and the Flia. Caballero. Then we had some free time, so we buscar-ed for a little while and then came home and Elder Nichols finished packing and stuff.

So this morning, we got a taxi and came into Asunci—n. All the going home people have stuff theyÕll be doing today and tomorrow, and then they fly out tomorrow afternoon. But change meeting isnÕt until Wednesday, so Elder Marshall will be with me (because Elder Seerden is going home too) until then. It should be a hoot. ThatÕs it.

So, I hope the New York trip goes well for you all. UhhhÉ Mom, I didnÕt get that package yet, but I assume itÕll come this weekend. IÕll let you know. Also, I still need to know about what to do for BYU. Yeah.

Thanks everyone for everything, and weÕll talk to you next week. HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!

I Love You Guys!!!

Love,
Josh