30 Abril 2001

Dear Family,

There are no pens to be found in the house suitable for letter writing so I thought that I'd use this :) [ed. note: he is using a colored pencil to write.] Everything is going well thus far. As a zone we fell short of our huge goal of 42 but we did manage to get 33 converts (baptism and confirmation = convert), which apparently is a mission records, so that's cool. Of those 33, my companionship had pledged to get 4 converts - we only got 1. She is Maria Eugenia Venero, a lively older woman. Her first Sunday in church she came alone "because Jesus told her" and attended the Priesthood Session of General Conference, which she loved. She's a really humble lady who has a streak of stubborn independency but who is always willing to do whatever it takes for Jesus Christ. We were also planning to baptize that family Pernia but they couldn't come to church. Unfortunately we have changed the 3rd of May and we think that I'm outtahere!

Today's been a good P-Day - done with the chores and cutting hair by 10:30 and walking around the house in shorts, playing chess and dominoes, and eating lots of sweets - just how I like it. Last week we spent the entire day doing "fun" stuff - kind of lame. Jennifer's printed me out all the letters that mom's written.

Well, right now it's Tuesday morning and I've got a little surprise - I got a call last night from Elder Hess, the AP (and former roommate in Puerto Cabello) informing me that I'll be training, starting Thursday (changes). I wasn't expecting that at all and I was pretty surprised but I've always said that if there was any one leadership position that I would want, it would be trainer. But we still don't know if I'm leaving or Elder Painter, but it's looking like Elder Painter would be the most likely.

Well, I love you all and I guess we'll talk on Mother's Day, but only for "a few minutes." Chao!

Elder Onken