Hey! Como esta!
I’ve been thinking about each of my friends and family so
much lately…I do love the mission but I do miss my family and friends so much.
I love you all each so much. You each mean so much to me! I have loved
everyone’s e-mails/letters. Keep up the good work! Thank you to all my friends
for your love and support. And to the many moms writing me too I really
appreciate your letters. Means a lot! My mission is very rewarding. You learn
so much about people, yourself, and life. Every day you learn something new.
Especially some Spanish! Learn a lot each day! I absolutely love the language.
I love the people. My areas are great. The members are very
willing to help us. The members are very giving even when they barely have
anything. It’s sad at times and is hard to see. They are so loving – very
admirable. Always serve others. Be the example.
The older people are still pretty difficult to understand
but I am getting better though! This week was very busy. We accomplished a lot.
Finding the One… A lot happened this week. First of all, I asked someone to get
baptized and work for this date and he said yes! His whole
family are members except for him, but he’s working for baptism. Great guy. I
was very nervous asking him but it was great. That was one of the many good
things that happened this week. This past Friday we helped with a wedding. Many
people here are “married” but really are not married so before baptism they
actually have to officially get married. The wife and children are members
already but the husband was not. So we got to see them get married. On Saturday the dad was baptized. First baptism! The baptism went well even though we had
to do it twice. The picture I sent is of the font and it is pretty small and he
is like 6’3” so it made it a bit harder. He was good about it. It is so
wonderful to help someone change and see the joy of a couple getting married,
the father baptized and being so involved with it. This was a GREAT part of my
week. Weddings here cost about 800 Limpias, which is about $40.00. That is a
lot of money to people here. They are so happy.
It is truly amazing to see how the Lord helps us all everyday.
We have 4 more baptismal dates set. We are/I am “Finding the One”. I often
share Dad’s conversion story with the people I am teaching. There is no doubt
that the numerous times I have shared Dads story that the spirit bears
testimony to me and those I am teaching that this gospel is true and that the holy ghost does confirm things to us.. I tell your
conversion story a lot Dad. There are a lot of Catholics here and they can
really connect with your story. There are so many good people here, whether
they are of our faith or another, they are good good people. I love and respect
them so much. And I learn a lot from them. Humility is probably one of the
greatest virtues I am learning from the people in Mexico City and here. The
members here help us a tremendous amount with the work we are trying to
accomplish. There are not very many of them but they help out a ton. For some
families tithing (giving 10%) is very very hard because they have so little,
but let me tell you, they pay it. They have such faith. The Lord brings
blessings when we do good things and are obedient.
It’s sooo HOT! Geez!!! So HOT and I am serving in a cooler
area right now. So yea, all good though. The buses are still crazy! So fun!
There was over 94 on this one school bus we rode this week. People standing and
sitting on one another. It was crazy! Music blaring! Life was good! This week
we had a newbies meeting for all the new missionaries; great to see all the
guys from the CCM in Mexico City. So good to see them, my friends. Doing hard
work and having fun is always good. Great guys that I now call friends. I will
get to see them again in four weeks and I can’t wait! So blessed that I was in
the CCM with them.
So a little about here…Every day is a hike and a half! The
terrain is still rough, and boy am I breaking my shoes in! So yea, my legs
definitly get quite the workout. The people are all cold here. It blows my mind.
I’m sweating through my white shirt and their wearing jeans with sweatshirts!
Crazy! Now I see why the Mexicans in the states always have layers on! Hopefully
my body will adjust. Well…my favorite subject always…food. The food is great
here when we are fed. If fed we usually get smaller portions but its very good
food. Lots of veggies…holy cow…I do love them now. It only took me 19 years.
HAHA. There are lots of mango trees here so I pick off those a lot. They make
great juice too. We’re always given hot drinks which is crazy because it is so
stinkin hot out. They are so good but man! It makes me sweat even more and I
don’t need that. Needless to say, I am drenched by the end of the day. I still
have yet to see a blonde haired person here! LOL! All dark hair! I do miss hot
showers but that’s the least of my worries. There are some very good soccer
teams here. In the middle of the town is a field. Their teams are equivalent to
the Sparks that play there. Very good! It’s a whole town thing. Very competitive
with lots of cheering and food. The weekends are so noisy. There is a lot of
dancing. Man can they all dance. Wish I could go into these places – wish we
were allowed so I could actually learn to dance. LOL…stop laughing my friends!
My companion Elder H. is very good with the scriptures
and all the gospel studies. He has many great qualities and I am learning many
things from him. It is interesting to see how different personalities are put
together and find a way to connect and work together. We are different but that is all ok. He
doesn’t eat a lot. In fact he will skip meals. Anyone that knows me knows I am
a big eater. What teenage boy skips meals? NONE! I have learned a lot about how
to train someone when one day I might be given the opportunity to be a trainer. He has been a good example to me and set the tone of how I should work as a missionary.
Well, I haven’t said much about this in the past but the
reality is I miss college ball so much. I miss my friends, I miss the hill (can
you believe it Peter???), I miss my cadet friends, I miss hanging out at the
clubhouse, I miss my high school friends and I miss family. As crazy as it
sounds, I am still a normal 19 year old boy who lays in bed thinking about what
the college scores from the day are, ESPN news, family and friends. Some days
are much harder than others but that is life and I press on with faith and the
Lord blesses me and blesses each of us.
To my little brother…keep working hard in school and ball.
Hard work will always pay off. ALWAYS OUT WORK EVERYONE. That is the new Long
motto. Mom, it’s time to replace the old family motto, “Girls screw up baseball
scholarships”! Always out work everyone. I love ya Gi. I am always thinking
about you. Help Mom and Dad. Be the best you can be.
I look forward to you meeting my friends here family when
you come and pick me up. I can’t wait for you to meet the people here. They
have so many talents. This one guy in town is a wood crafter. AMAZING. Him and
dad could make some killer stuff. Both very talented. I love the people here.
And you will too.
Say hello to everyone. Miss you all tons. Think about you
every day mucho. Some moments are very hard but I am doing my best. What else
do you want to know?
Miss you Gi, Mom Dad Family & Friends. Aim High. Put
your best foot forward every day. Love you all so much! Make it a great week!
Love you guys so much,
Elder Long
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