Mission Address

Texas Lubbock Mission
Sentry III Plaza
5214 68th Street, Suite 202
Lubbock, TX 79424-1523

Friday, September 2, 2011

Back in New Mexico

Hey everyone! Elder Smith and I gave talks in church last Sunday. The Bishop called us like Friday night, and we're already signed up to talk in the Spanish Sacrament on like the 17th or 18th. On the 11th I'm going to Roswell for Stake Conference! So I'll get to see Elder Rose, and all the members from Roswell - I wonder if they'll remember me! (Or should I say how could they have forgotten me?!) I haven't ever heard back from Jose and Juana for a while. But there will be a ton of us going through the temple when Albert is ready, (me, Elder Rane, Elder Rose, Ian Vick, and my "family" from Dumas!!!!!) Albert and I still stay in touch!
I'm adjusting pretty well to Hobbs, it's a nice place. What do I like the most about being back in New Mexico? I think the people are a little nicer here than they are in Texas (but I still love Texas, don't get me wrong). What do i like the least about New Mexico? I feel closer to home!!!! haha!! some members told me the other day, "You're from St. George?" and I said yes; then they looked up on their phone app and said "You're only like 15 hours from home from right here!" so that was weird, but whatever!
About my release date: I've known that the date was February 8th since the day you guys kicked me out the car on February 3, 2010!!!! It's in my white handbook!!! Maybe I should have told ya'all about this sooner, but this doesn't mean you can start counting down the days!!! That will just make it longer!! We're going to finish this like a good round of golf: one shot at a time so we stay focused and take everybody's money at the end of the day!! hahah! yeah it's pretty crazy. in a couple of days I'll have 19 months! I remember back when Elder Willie and I joined forces in Roswell, and he had 19 months when that happened, and I remember thinking: if I could just get to where he is now, I think I'll be alright. Well, here I am ~ and I'm doing awesome!! I'm pretty sure I say this every week, but I love being a missionary!!!!!! Nothing could ever compete with this. I remember talking to Elder Ward in the car when I first got here a year and a half ago; we were driving from Hobbs to Roswell, and he asked me if serving a mission was the hardest thing I've ever had to do, and I told him that it is. Even though back then I had no real experience at all. It was hard and now it's still hard, but I've learned to rely on my Savior, to put my trust in Him, and somehow things work out just fine.
My Spanish is going into overdrive; when I was with Elder Martinez in Ft. Stockton, Texas, I was lazy with my Spanish because he's basically from Mexico and can speak so fluently, so everybody we talked to in Spanish, Elder Martinez did most of the work. But now with Elder Smith, we're both white guys (haha!) and he doesn't really like speaking, so I get to do everything which is perfectly fine with me!!!!! I actually got a compliment last night on my Spanish by the Elders Quorum President and his wife - I talked to him on the phone like on Monday, and he was like, "who was I talking to on the phone the other day?" and I told him it was me, and he's like, "you speak it very well." and his wife was like, "okay, let's see" so all three of us started speaking, and they were both impressed!!!! I love Spanish so much!!!! Elder Smith and I are going to a book store today to see if they have some Spanish books for really cheap!
Oh, here's a story: the other day I ate a habanero pepper!!! If you don't know what they are you should find out, they're the little orange ones. I actually ate two of them, so they could clear up my sinus' (I've been stuffed up like ever since I got here) and they cleared me out alright! My face was all red and I was practically crying it was so hot!!!! Elder Smith filmed the whole thing!!
Wow, I love you guys so much. I think about ya'all a lot. A mission really is the hardest thing I've ever had to do, but it's SO worth it! All it takes is for the spirit to be there in a lesson - even if it's just for a few seconds - and then I feel like I can continue moving forward. Ever since the Zone Conference we had in the middle of August I've been trying to get to know my Savior more. I've been blessed with so many things in my life since I started this crazy roller coaster ride. I can speak Spanish. I can testify of who Jesus Christ is. I can talk to people and I can help them have better lives. Which reminds me: what blessings have ya'all seen since I've been out here? Sorry, I think I just went into District Leader mode, hahaha!!!!!
Oh well, Tengo que tomar estos cinco meses restantes, porque hay mucha gente que quiere escuchar la palabra de Dios y voy a trabajar hasta el final! Rezo para que Dios se hará cargo de esta semana! Casi no puedo esperar para la próxima semana para escuchar lo que está sucediendo en sus vidas. Bueno, está bien, vaya con Dios, y que Dios los bendiga! Todos los thenit derecho! hahaha! tomeslo fácil!
Translation: I need to take these remaining five months, for there are many people who want to hear the word of God and I will work until the end! I pray that God will take care of this week! I can hardly wait for next week to hear what is happening in your lives. Well, okay, go with God, and God bless! All right then! hahaha! Take it easy!
Con Carino, (translation: with love) Elder Zachary Levi Perkins