Elder VanBuskirk: Three Comps in One Day

My new comp, Elder Laurel

This week was great. On Tuesday Garcia left to Cometon where he will be a zone leader. It is about 5 hours away. Well went to the OCC bus station on Tueday. We talked for a bit then took a picture then a hug then he left.

Saying goodbye to Elder Garcia

My new companion is named Elder Laurel. His last area was Tapachla. He was there for 8 months. He is the 9th out of 11 kids, 8 boys y 3 girls. He is the only one to serve a mission. He is from Veracruz Mexico. He speaks hardly any English. But that is good for me. We are working great together on planning our lessons y days y also on teaching lessons. But he is not so obedient. He watches TV at people’s homes y sleeps in y doesn’t exercise y he takes a long time of taking a shower then I don’t have enough time. I am always obedient. But besides that we are great. He is always cold so I let him use my sweater because his other area was hot. Well Garcia never taught me the street names so this week we had a hard time with the taxis.

Well, the people here says my Spanish is a lot better since I got here y it is sounding more like Spanish y they understand me more. I’m so happy I’m progressing in my Spanish. A goal the mission president gave us was to help 3 people a week with family history. We have three baptisms coming up: Ander y Tono y Jose Maria. Well Omero took are challenge of no alcohol for one week y he did it! We were so proud. We have so many good investigators but none of them visit the church y they say the will. I’m offically not a new missionary, I finished my training. But now we have a extra 1 hour to teach people in the morning.

Well last week we visited Coita Sema y there was Utah Mormons who were speaking English to me y I couldn’t speak the English words I wanted - I was speaking Spanish. That is a good sign. I love you all y miss you a ton. Thanks for all the support y love.

Me and Elder Lyons, my MTC comp.

At the bus station I also saw Elder Lyons. It was great! He is going to be a district leader in a new area he never visited y he is training a new missionary, so he has a lot of stress. He loved his old area. It was hot but he was in the jungle. He had to take an 8 hour bus ride. The night before I talked to my zone leader y he gave the phone to Lyons so I talked to him for 5 min.

I am going to get my Christmas package in two weeks in zone conference. I love you so much. I wish I can hug you. I pray for everything you tell me y for you y for the family y that dad’s work will be great. I love you a ton! Thanks mom. You guys are always in my heart. Tell Francisco to read the Book of Mormon everyday y to pray. Tell everybody I love them y I pray for all of you. Love you a ton mom y thanks again.

Love you. I got to go. Adios!