What day is it? What DAY is IT? HUMP DAAAAY

July 6, 2015

Hi Everyone,

Thank you all for the kind reminder that I am now old in missionary years. I'm so surprised at how quickly this day has shown up. I feel like I am doing things right because I almost didn't even notice. I am really trying to give it my all, and it has been a blessing to be here in Honduras.

Just to throw in a mini "summary" of the year, I have had 5 companions (including the MTC), 2 areas (not including the MTC), and 8 baptisms. I was trying to add up all the lessons I had taught, but I kept losing track and I decided that it wasn't really that important. I have taught about 30 a week, so 20 times 46 (because we don't teach in the MTC) is 920 lessons in a year. That isn't exact, but it's definitely in the range. Haha. Being a missionary is a really radical lifestyle when you think about it. We get up at 6:30 in the morning, read the scriptures for two hours, then talk to everyone we pass until 9:30 at night, with only a two-hour break at lunch (we study language at 1).

I don't know about you guys, but I found it hard to talk to very many people I passed in Las Vegas when I was cruising around in my car. Here, I am just grateful that my voice hasn't gone out. The idea is that if you can talk to every single person you pass, when you or some other missionaries knock on their door in a month or two, their is something familiar there which will let them want to have you in their house for a discussion about Jesus Christ. It is a great experience to be able to give 100% of everything to the Lord.

This week has been rather short on events, but there were some good ones. First of all, my favorite kid in our ward just hopped on a plane to go serve right alongside Elder Berry and Elder Payne in the Mexico Mexico City North Mission. He always goes on divisions with us one or two times, and we have become real good friends in these last five months. I have my fingers crossed that he will be companions with at least one of these losers out in Mexico. Haha.

The other news is that today made "Mangu," a typical food of the Dominican Republic. One of the elders in our district is from there and we all pitched in to eat some good food. It's basically mashed plantains and spaghetti sauce...what? It was actually pretty good considering that I am not a fan of plantains. I will have to figure out how to make some once I'm done preachin the good word.

I hope that everyone has a great next year. Don't miss me too much ;) hahaha. Thanks for all the prayers and support!

Elder Aldrich