THE TSA WAY, UNTIL WE MEET AGAIN, MY HEART IS FULL, VICTORY HURRAH! IT'S ALL GOOD HERE! INSPIRED BY GOD, MISSIONARY-ATHLETES, STOMACH ACHES, SPANISH IS HARD

THE TSA WAY

UNTIL WE MEET AGAIN
We said "Hasta leugo," which means "until later," (I love this Spanish farewell phrase) to Elder Sweat on October 13, in the San Jose airport.  It was a little unsettling to leave him with the unfamiliar, all searching arms of TSA instead of the caring, all loving arms of the elders and sisters from the MTC, in Provo, UT.  To top it off, we didn't hear any word from Guatemala that Elder Sweat had arrived to the MTC safely.  Terrell says it best in his letter to Elder Sweat.

"I found the experience of dropping you off at the San Jose Airport to be quite a different experience compared to dropping Demetri off at the MTC because I saw him go with missionaries into the MTC and I knew that he was fine.  In your case, I saw you walk through TSA and hoped you would be fine.  Since we didn't hear from you, I contacted the Guatemala MTC President on Friday morning and found out that you had sent us an email on Wednesday morning, but apparently had sent it to the wrong email so we never received it.  We thought you were fine, but were relieved to find out that you had arrived safely."

“ Brothers don’t necessarily have to say anything to each other – they can sit in a room and be together and just be completely comfortable with each other..”– Leonardo DiCaprio

MY HEART IS FULL
We had a wonderful week with friends and family visiting to see Elder Sweat off.  My heart is full of gratitude for all the hugs and warm well wishes for Elder Sweat and our family.  We are definitely missing him!  It is very lonely and things aren't as funny around here!

Cheers to the Chang clan!

Aloha, Auntie Renee!

Adios Aunt Carina and Uncle Vince!  

Farewell, Fife family!

VICTORY HURRAH!
We knew Elder Sweat was going to be alright, when he made it through TSA and turned around and gave us all a "Victory Hurrah! "   I have posted Elder Sweat's contact information at the end of the blog.  If you would like to KIT with him while he is away, please feel free to send him an email!

 

Your son will hold your hand for only a little while. 
But he will hold your heart for a lifetime!
--Anonymous

IT'S ALL GOOD HERE!
There is a lot of like sporadic poverty and wealth. Lots of people ride motorcycles. We saw one duo that had the guy on the back holding a shotgun!   Haha!  Idk what that's about, but it's all good here. Lots of weird cars and crazy crammed busses and barbwire. It's not that humid here.  It is fairly warm and rains a lot.  Supposedly, we are in like one of the top 10 most dangerous places in the world!  Ha!  A little different than normal. Sirens go off all the time. 

When we arrived at the MTC, we got some food, an interview, had pictures taken, and we were supposed to get some sleep, real quick. 

I haven´t taken any pictures yet, so sorry, ha, and I wont be able to cuz we don't have our cameras with us. 

INSPIRED BY GOD
Overall it has a weird feel that I´m here; It is growing on me though. I have an awesome district. It was definitely inspired by God that we all came out here at our certain times and here as a district.  I've heard a lot of powerful testimonies from the missionaries!  It really helps me. 

MISSIONARY-ATHLETES
We have some athletes in our district, too. One, Elder Brown, played football, competed in Amateur MMA, wrestled, and can jump crazy high!  He hit his head on the ceiling, jumping in our room which is like around 10 feet in the air, at least, ha. Elder Meoño is a super solid guy that played football at Grantsville High School as Quarterback and Safety.  Elder Meoño played football against Stansbury; my cousins go there!   He's swoll and we work out together. Elder Trepaner is my compañero and he ran track and cross country. Elder Shumway wrestled. Elder Rosin played baseball. Elder Keith likes football and is super funny;  he reminds me of Demetri (one of Elder Sweat's older brothers who is currently serving a mission in Sweden).  Haha.

STOMACH ACHES
Pretty good food, but I tend to have a stomach ache after eating.   However, the stomach aches are lessening, more and more, as I learn not to eat too much of certain things and whatnot.   We just went to the temple and ended up missing breakfast to email...so I hope you all enjoy this email!  Haha. 

SPANISH IS HARD
We sit in classes like all day, which is super hard for me and my legs hurt from sitting so much. 
If i got called to an English speaking mission, all of us here would destroy cuz Spanish is hard to teach with. I have seen the sporadic "gift of tongues" which is nice. Lots of way cool people here!

Love, 

Elder Sweat