12 Febrero 2001

Dear Family,

Greetings from the mission field! How's everything at home? Well, I pray. Well, this week's been one of great change for me in particular. Elder Alvey left Maracay early Thursday morning and left the country at about 6:30 p.m. Friday morning, and in his place came Elder Painter. Now, getting a new comp isn't that traumatic of a change anymore - rather routine - but this change was much different from the others, because Elder Painter came to be my junior companion, which makes me senior comp. Tons more responsibility and effort, but I know that with lots of prayer and humility I'll do whatever the Lord wants me to do. Elder Clay Painter comes from Los Alamos, New Mexico. He has a brother and 2 sisters, one of which is the oldest, is married, and lives in Maryland. His dad also served in Venezuela 25 years ago, when it was one entire mission. This is his second area, his first being Yaritagua, which is close to Barquisimeto. He was there for 5 months, and his companion prior to me was Elder Barlow, whom I lived with for awhile in Ciudad Alianza! I'm very blessed to have a comp like him as my first comp menor - he speaks well, is obedient, and works hard.

He arrived in the terminal in Maracay at about 11:30 so we came back to the apartment by taxi (who we forgot to pay! oops), dropped off his stuff, and went to lunch. After lunch we came back to the apartment and while he got situated, I got everything ready that we'd need to plan, which we did after he was done. I never thought it would be so hard planning what you're going to do for the day! I was racking my brains trying to think of the area, the time, investigators, members, appointments, busses, etc. - it took me forever! I think that that's the thing that I'm most afraid of - planning. Like, if our schedule was jam packed with appointments and charlas and Family Home Evenings and such I wouldn't mind it at all, as far as being responsible to help people get taught and get baptized. I just don't know where to find them! This last week we set very few appointments with people, so now I'm seeing the consequences but with the last 3 days of work, we've been able to get addresses of people and appointments set up.

Today's so far been pretty cool. I slept in a bit, took a shower and left to do laundry and shopping, which we finished at about 10. Then we went to get my hair cut and pick up a PVC pipe 1-1/2 inches in diameter and 4 feet long :P DIDJERIDOO!!! I've just been missing it for too long. But the pipe that they have here is a little too thick - it's a little harder to get it loud, get a big range of sounds, and circular breathe because it needs more effort to vibrate. But it does a decent job, so I'm happy :) Now I just need to find some beeswax to be able to make a mouthpiece.

I hope you like the last roll of film - I thought it was a good batch.

Both Juan, the guy who got baptized the 4th and Jennifer, his wife (mostly Jennifer tho) would really like it if you (mom) emailed them - they said that they've never talked with the parents of any missionary before. They gave me 2 email addresses, and I don't know which one they use more frequently. They both speak English fairly well, and can understand it almost perfectly.

Well, I can't think of much else to write other than I met the parents of Elder Affleck Thursday at the terminal. They came to pick him up. It was Elder Affleck with whom I went out my second night in the country and taught my first charla here, so meeting his parents was kind of cool. I also found out that Elder White, Elder Affleck's old comp and who's still in my zone, has a certain uncle who lives in L.A. and who's bishop of a certain UCLA ward! I was totally shocked when I found out that his uncle was Apryl's bishop! How's that for a small world?

I love you guys!

Nick