Oh Montevideo, Oh Montevideo‏

email dated 2-18-08
Okay, so today I am in the capital of Uruguay, Montevideo. Which by the way is a good 8 hours away from my beloved Artigas. But I got a call a few nights ago from the offices that I had to come to Deo to sign some immigration papers and so last night at 10 I hopped on a bus and got here this morning. I went to immigration and signed the paper, 30 seconds later I was back in the streets of Montevideo. Now I have to wait til 10 tonight before I can go back home. Tomorrow morning I will get off the bus, go home and take a shower, and go straight to work. I remember what that was like because I did it my first day in the mission field. I am going to be tired because it is hard to sleep on the bus, at least it is for me.

My companion wanted McDonalds for lunch, and I didn't. So he got McDonalds, and I didn't. I sought out a good, better, and 10 pesos cheaper meal. Mine was still more expensive than I was used to, but I wanted to try it because it looked good and I don't know the next time I will be in Montevideo. He was pretty jealous. His food made him feel sick, my milanesas and salad made me feel good. He should have listened to me. The stupidest thing about McDonalds down here is that it is more expensive than the common meal. That makes no sense. You eat McDonalds for the cheap factor. Here it is more expensive than everything else and more expensive than it is in the States. I just don't get it. I don't know why one would choose to eat McDonalds when a combo meal is 135 pesos, and it is a common known fact that a really good meal down here should be about 80 pesos. It makes no sense to me.

Oh yeah, and my email costs more today. Everything is more expensive in the City. But this city is HUGE!!! I didn't notice last time how big it really was, but the buildings are big and it goes for miles. Last time I was still all culture shocked I didn't even pay attention. But the contrast from Artigas is striking. Montevideo is a big city. And it is really modern too. Inside the city you would think you were in a normal United States big city if it weren't for the even crazier driving and Spanish signs everywhere. I am kind of bummed that I lost a peaceful P-day with my Artigas Zone. We were going to have a lamb-BBQ today with some members. Now I am in a huge mall. It is a little different.

Yesterday in church there were well over 60 people, maybe over 70. I thought that was really cool!!! That is improvement for sure. And the talks were actually really good. Yesterday I had this realization that church is still for me too. I usually am always so worried about how church is going to be. But yesterday a guy from the Stake Presidency came and gave the best talk I have heard in Uruguay. I left church feeling edified. It was a good feeling. I had forgotten what that felt like for a while.

The work continues on. We have enough investigators to keep us busy all day. We never have to stop and ask "what should we do now?". I take that as a good sign that we are doing okay. We always have someone we can visit and teach. We have some progressing investigators, and some now investigators with a date, etc... I wish I had time to tell more stories but I can't. The work is going fine.

I am doing well. I am healthy, por lo menos, and I feel good. I still haven't gained or lost any weight, but it sounds like things are changing at home. Dad lost 42 pounds and Mom 15. Matt will be married, and hopefully clean shaven, Luke won't be there... I wont even recognize home when I come home.

Anyway, I hope that you are all well. I hope that you all have good excuses for not writing me this week. I even did email late today. It is past 9 in the morning there.

Oh yeah! I will have you know I am a famous musician down here. Every ward in Artigas is now calling to invite me to play at their sacrament meetings and at every baptism. I regrettably don't have time to play for them all, but I try to when I can. And they think I have the voice of an Angel. In the States I am not what you would call a good singer. But here I am sent from God to sing to them. Last week a guy in the Hermana's ward asked if he could bring his tape recorder to record me singing. Just thought I would let you all know that I am famous now. I always knew I would be.

I am well. I love you all. Dont forget to write!

Andy