Miracles...in Spanish...at 90 miles an hour

October 21, 3013

 Hey family!

It's been another week as usual - except for that we experienced a miracle. A while ago, a guy named Manuel approached us and asked us for a copy of a bible in Spanish. We gave him a Book of Mormon instead, since we didn't have any copies of the Reina Valera (Spanish Bible) with us, and told him we'd come back. We did, but he wasn't home, so I jumped the fence (since his trailer is surrounded by a fence made out of various gates and we couldn't figure out which one actually opens to get onto his property and which ones are just bolted to the others) and left a copy on his porch.

Then, we went back a few days ago and he was there! He invited us in (turns out you have to take a hidden board out of the gate-fence to open it) and had us sit down. He wanted to know how to use the Book of Mormon and the Bible together, so we explained the origin of the Book of Mormon to him and why they support each other. He then told us that he had read the pamphlet about the Restoration that we left, and that he had followed the suggestion in the back to pray to know if Joseph Smith was a prophet or not. He said he received an answer in the form of a comforting, peaceful feeling. It was awesome! And then, as if that wasn't enough, he asked us if he could bring some other people to listen to our next lesson because he knows a lot of other Spanish speakers who want to learn more about God. It was awesome! We're excited to see how he progresses from here. He seems very humble and hard-working - and he speaks Spanish about 90 mph. But yeah.

Also, this week we tracted into a lady who looked hispanic, but was actually from eastern Africa. After some confusion with language, we figured out that she spoke decent English. We ended up referring her to the Sisters, but it just goes to show - the gospel is for everyone.

I'm glad that you've had a great week. I'm doing well. It still seems like time is flying by, and I'm trying to keep it that way by working hard. I'm glad to hear that the primary program went well - we've had to teach a few primary-age classes in our branch, and it's torturous. I've come to respect people who can work with kids. I guess that's something I'll have to learn.

We had dinner with the Whitings yesterday (like we do most Sundays). It was delicious. Elder and Sister Whiting are a senior couple in our branch, and they're awesome. Neither of them speaks any Spanish, but Sister Whiting is an excellent cook. I'm being taken care of.
I have yet to eat anything as different as squirrel gravy (like Dad did on his mission) , but I'm sure I will. I've heard much talk of stomach and lengua (tongue) since I got here. Even things like kidney. I can't say I'm looking forward to that with any measure of excitement, but hey, it'll be an adventure if that ever comes along in the dinner calendar.

Thanks for sending me a package. Getting mail is always great.
Also, will you send me a soccer jersey for Christmas? That would be super cool. Preferably Chelsea (Frank Lampard).

- Jake

P.S.
It's awesome that you got so much cider this year! We'll have to do that again when I get home. The BYU game sounds like it was awesome. Another thing we'll have to do when I get home.  I've been thinking about what I want to do when I get back. Patent Law might be something I look into. BYU will be awesome as well - and I'd love to go do stuff with you while I'm there. The way I see it, the harder I work through my mission, the more enjoyable everything else will be.