June 7 Letter

Hey gang,
This week has been pretty boring. No storms, not sick. Just teaching people. It's hot and humid. I will try to answer some of your questions.

Sidney: As far as El Savadorian food goes, the origonals are pupusas, fried plantane, cooked red beans, charamuscos (which are a form of popsicle), frozen bananas dipped in chocolate. If I think of anything else I will let you know. They also have nick names for certain countries here in Central America, like El Salvadoreans or Gunacos. Costa Rico is Tico and someone from Honduras is a Katracho. Just some fun little things I have picked up.

Grandma: That's really cool that you got to talk to the missionaries the other day and I can totally understand about the whole 11 ties. They are about the only change you can get in dress for a day and some wear out faster than others. Say hi to the cats for me and tell, I think it's Missy to keep her hand off the teclador.... or keyboard. My mind some days does not want to change from spanish to english and I find it harder and harder to read Ingles.

Mom, Logan, Reid and Dad: I thank you all so very much for the prayers and I thank every one else so much for their support. If you would like to know about how the work is going, well, we have been getting a lot of new investigadors. Two of them have the same name: Jose and Jose. Then, there are 6 Alex's that I am teaching. That's kind of weird. Teaching someone with your same name is a little different, but it kind of draws an interesting parable to being a missionary. In a sense, we all teach ourselves and have to convert ourselves personally.

I love this mission and am getting lost in the Lord's work is always great. I have often said that if I knew the mission would be this hard I probably would not have come and now that I am out here, I am so glad I came. Sure, there are really tough days when I just want to quit, but I carry on. Sometimes I don´t even know why, but I need to finish this. There are people here who influence me just like at home and I feel better around them. Make your friends those who build you up and build your friends up too. I am glad to hear about the service you all have done and I can attest to the power of service myself. It can turn even some of the worst days good. It goes with one of my favorite hymns:

Have I done any good in the world today? Have I helped some one else in need. Have I cheered up the sad or made someone feel glad, if not, I have failed indeed. Have the sick and the weary been helped on their way.......... then wake up and do something more than dream of your mansion above. Doing good is a pleasure, a joy beyond measure, a blessing of duty and love.

I have learned a little bit of creativity and a smile can go along ways. The people react to how you feel and show your emotions. So, if I am happy and bold, adventurous in the appointment, the people will be too. I think that being a missionary is 5% attitude and 95% Spirit. I can´t tell you how many times I have received strength from the Lord and He has picked up where I have left off or has taught me something that I did not know. It is in these moments that I am so grateful for my Savior and what He did for me. I know that no matter how hard I think it is, He has been in my shoes, He has felt my pain. This past week I have read a scripture that has sunk deeply in my mind about how this person must have felt and the faith she had to do what she did. I am sure you know of the story where the prophet comes to a woman's house in the wilderness and asks for a loaf of bread. She responds and says "I have none to give, but that which I have is a handful of meal and a few drops of oil." With her faith she gives the little cake to this man, the prophet, and he promises that as long as there is no rain, the oil shall not fail and the meal shall not waste either. I think, wow, what a person to have that kind of faith to trust in the Lord. Why can´t we all have that kind of faith? We can and I invite everyone to strive for this kind of obedience and faith from the Lord. I know from my own testimony that when we listen to our leaders there are specific blessings that we may receive.

Living conditions this week have improved and at the same time, gotten worse. I know that having a cook can be a blessing, but also a curse. They cook for you, but at the same time, the food isn´t always good. I have someone washing my clothes which is nice, they are clean but they smell a little funky. The lady doesn´t use laundry detergent, she just uses soap.

Well, I have rambled on for a bit. Hope all is fine and hot in Vegas. It's a different heat with the humidity here. I love you all and take care .

Elder Proksch