It´s pretty small. a bit smaller than my last sector. It´s definitely more city-like though. I mean, we´re in Santiago Proper, comuna san miguel. It feels a bit like Evanston or Wicker Park or something like that. It´s pretty rich, too. I´ve seen lots of Audis and Mercedes and BMWs and stuff. And the houses are a lot nicer, with lots of NICE appartment buildings. We live on the 13th story of our building, for example. And there´s a workout room (we have yet to use), a nice outdoor pool, a little balcany, ya know, the works.
My comp is Elder Callao, from Peru. With just 6 days with a Latin, I can already see and feel my Spanish improving, because he hardly speaks a lick of English. He knows the numbers, and "hot." He´s working on learning to pray in English, which is where anyone should start in learning a language. Prayer. Sooo helpful (Hayden- do it :) ). But having to speak 100% Spanish really helps with practicing, as you can imagine. A bunch of the members here said they´re impressed with my Spanish, but I have sooo much more to go before I´m fluent. But the practice surely does help move it along.
Quickly to comment on some things from your letters: Hayden, good luck with finals. You´ll do great! I´ll be praying for you. I´ll get the escritura for the wall plaque here within the next few weeks... sorry for the wait. I´ll definitely write Landon today. I didn´t forget about him, and I´ve been planning on writing him. But good thing I know now to send it to the CCM in Lima! Cochabamba, Bolivia. Definitely will be writing him. I´m writing in my journal about every other Day, but I´m going to try and write at least 5/7 nights a week. I hope I don´t forget about some things that happen, though I know I will. Dang. Mom-- The Dorius´s are a senior couple here in the mission, working in the office, and they leave in a few months. She called me a few days ago, and maybe has emailed you? Don´t know. But Hermana Dorius had a question, because her maiden name is Whittles with an s, and her dad or grandpa or someone is from Chicago... any information on if your name got changed without an s or anything? She was wondering. Dad, look up Aleluya by Il Divo. Beautiful. I have peanut butter from the states, because Líder sells Good Value products!!!!!! It´s just down the street.
We also taught 24 Lessons this week: 12 of them were to non-members! Gustavo is getting baptized this Saturday, confirmed on Sunday. He´s 73 and lives in an old folk´s home. He was a reference, and is really really smart and knows a lot. He gets caught up on little details and doesn´t understand some basic things, but he loves coming to church (12 weeks), knows the Book of Mormon is true, and reads 5-10 chapters a day from it. Interesting guy... you´ll see pictures next week. Very, very, very dry humor that is hard to catch sometimes, but he´s a good guy. We have 3 other baptismal dates for February, but if all of them get baptized on their date, it will be a miracle. We´re working hard! But I still need to learn to love even more, and to keep a good, positive attitude all the time. Sometimes I just get frustrated when people don´t understand how amazing the Gospel is, and how Loving our Heavenly Father is for having this plan for us! But, that´s why I´m here. To invite children of God to come unto Christ, by helping them recieve the restored gospel. (If you can, I really liked having those spiritual and uplifting quotes, mom :)
Also, we went downtown for my comp´s Visa renewal thing. I miss the city and Chicago!
Well, I think that´s about it. Until next week, I love you and miss you so much! Keep writing, and tell me about at least 1 spiritual experience you´ve had each week. :)
Love, Elder Cole Moffat
