Elder Jackson J. Roper: Week 2 in Tijuana

Hola y como estan todos?? In other words hi and how is everyone?

Week 2 has come and gone so stinkin’ fast. The days are super long but the weeks fly by. I am beginning to understand a little more everyday. I do get a bit frustrated when I can’t understand what is said and people can’t understand me, but what can I do? I am where I am supposed to be - doing what the Lord wants me to do.

Thanks for all the updates from home. I still don’t feel like me and all my friends should be going through the temple and on missions. It feels like just yesterday we were playing for state against American Fork. We passed by a baseball field the other day and stood and watched for a bit and boy it made me miss baseball. Nevertheless there is a lot more to life than baseball huh?

Well as for the teaching I teach a couple parts of the lesson usually depending if it goes smoothly. We met with a lady yesterday that went off about how she could see spirits and what not so I just stayed quiet because I didn’t really know how to express myself. Sometimes I understand everything in the lessons and other times I don’t. I feel like when I really need to understand something I can - especially during the lessons. The gift of tongues is super powerful. The more work we put into it the more powerful that gift becomes. I learn a lot from Elder Castelan everyday. Although he listens to Metallica-yes Metallica-he really knows how to teach and how to apply the scriptures to people. I wish he was more obedient but I can’t worry about that because it’s not in my control, right?

It’s funny because with all of our investigators the lessons are going great and they are really understanding until we drop the baptismal question and date. It seems like everything after that falls apart. For example, we are working with a lady named Mirtha who is so ready for the Gospel and baptism. But since we have invited her to be baptized everything has gone down hill. She had 2 family members pass away and all this stuff has been coming up to distract her from praying and reading. Just shows me the work is real and Satan is doing everything he can to stop the work. Elder Castelan speaks English very well so I try to say something in Spanish and if he doesn’t understand I just spit it out in English. No big deal

We walk or take the bus to our lessons. We don’t have to walk too far...but then again we don’t have to tract or do contacts in the street. Just a different style of work here in Tijuana. Dad, please do all that you can as the WML. Ours does nothing for us and I haven’t even met him yet. We are pretty much on our own with the help of the members for referrals. It’s definitely different than I imagined but it’s all good.

Dad I hope you enjoyed your birthday! I was definitely thinking of you on Saturday and hope you had a great day!

Church here is wild. If you think the Spanish Branch is bad just come here. Kids running everywhere and all sorts of stuff but the Church and the Spirit is still the same. I really enjoy the chance we have to sort of relax at church on Sunday and hang.

The weather here is great. Perfect during the day and super cold at night. I love it though. A lot better than the pounding snow.

The food is delicious. Tortillas and rice and beans with every meal and some sort of meat or burrito. Just depends on the meal. I love it!

Well, I am glad to hear everyone is doing good. I am struggling a bit here but I am doing just fine. The days are hard and long but the weeks fly by. These first 3 months will take an eternity but after that it will pick up!

Well I had better go. Good to hear from everyone. If you send a package soon I could use some Shout for my shirts, my black Nike backpack, and some under armor ankle socks so I can double up when the weather gets hot. And whatever food you want...

Well take care and until next week :)

Elder Roper :)

P.S.

It’s a rule down here that we can’t drink Coke with the members....ahhhhhh!!! ha oh well :)