Home Made Tamales

Things are good!We have good investigators right now. I can pretty much understand conversations in Spanish and talk with everyone without too much thinking. Being able to learn to speak and understand Spanish so quickly, I think is the gift of tongues that they talk about in the bible. The other elders have commented on it and how I am talking pretty fast and well which is nice!

We had an awesome thing the other night. Crystal’s husband Leonardo is a good guy overall. He has some machisimo and he drinks. And she told us he had gotten drunk and gotten pretty physical with her. He was drunk, and stupid. So we sat down with them and I was talking about it with him. I told him that we are here and to help their family. That we want them to be happy and that change is the only way they can be happy. I asked him if he felt like he had a family right now. He said No. I then told him he needs to step up and be a man and create an environment where they can be a family... I told him he is acting like a teenage boy, but I know that he wants to do right and turn things around but he needs to decide for himself. Yes, I actually said that. He kind of had his head down the whole time. Then he agreed. Apologized to his wife and said he would stop drinking. Then my companion started talking with someone in the other room and Crystal left the room. They both kinda left and so it was pretty much me and him in the room as my companion was talking with someone at the doorway. Leonardo looked over at me and said thank you. I was like huh?? Then he explained he is done. I told him how we would play soccer with him or basketball or whatever he wants to do on Saturday afternoons to stop him from drinking with his buddies, and he said "I will go to church with you". He was so happy and looked kinda relieved. It was a pretty spiritual experience for me, the spirit was strong. It was one of those moments when the spirit prompts you to be bold. Way cool!!! Leonardo and Crystal and their son went to the stake picnic yesterday and had a very good time! she cooked Tamales.... bones in them of course!!!! So Guatemalan! I do not approve of the whole bone in tamale thing... It’s pretty disgusting! Leonardo liked playing soccer and really seemed happy! It was lots of fun and a great day.

I am enjoying the other missionaries alot more. I don’t know if I mentioned this in my last letter but I have made really good friends with two of the missionaries in our district. Elder Jones and Elder Sanchez. Elder Jones is waiting for a visa to Slovenia and Elder Sanchez is the man. He is from Mexico and came here when he was 13. We have gotten to hang out lately because they came to our picnic yesterday and they spent the night at our house and stuff, so that has been fun!

I love you all, thanks for writing me.

Love
Elder Stiles