Transfers and Quarantine!

 What an absolutely goofy week. Including a mission wide quarantine, transfers, and games.

Monday- Last p-day as the district before transfers janked it up. It was pretty fun we played some basketball and then that night basically all the lads en mi casa packed up all their things. 

Tuesday- Transfer day :( Said goodbye to Elder Payne, Bethea, Trejo and Gray. But the saddest was Arce. I got my new comp Elder Brady, and we're chillin. Me and Payne got stuck at the office for like 30 years waiting for someone to give us a ride. Then we got back to the house insanely messy because of everybody's things, we went and got chic-fil-a and then played some games while waiting for Elder Payne's comp to get there. That night we went out and did some heat finding.

Wednesday- We had a  pretty regular night, we did studies, went out that night and visited a ton of people but didn't have an insane amount of luck. 

Thursday- Last regular day, we did the classic things. We did have soccer night and I balled out. I was playing heat defense and I scored yeah, and it was super nice. But that night I was exposed to Covid so I'm dummy scared I'll be positive tomorrow, I don't feel sick but they say a lot of people are asymptomatic...so it's kinda freaky!

Friday- Quarantine begins, we had a weird zoom call, president texted everyone and said to hop on zoom in 15 minutes. So we hopped on and they told us that the MTC had a outbreak and so all the missionaries that had just came from the MTC had to quarantine until Monday. Then we were at district council and Mission Leadership got word that they had to quarantine. THEN when we got home we got word that the entire mission had to quarantine. We were so freaking mad, especially elder Brady, he was going crazy haha. We spent the rest of that day being sad. We played risk to eat up time, and I won so that was nice. But it was super bummy.

Saturday- Chilled at home all day, went out to play basketball for a little bit, but mostly played games called like every number we have, and took naps.

Sunday- Very similar to Saturday except we didn't eat. I went to our mission testimony meeting, and our Spanish ward, and my home ward over zoom so that was fun haha. Then we did an insane amount of cleaning, our house looks hecka good. We called everyone again super fun, taught a member lesson and then basically played games and talked until bed.

Super fun week full of craziness, I zoom to Argentina in 3 days so that's insanely crazy and super super hype. Thanks for reading, have a great week. See you in Argentina!

Merry Christmas!

 Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you all. We had an insane week, with Christmas and other things. The amount of treats you receive as a missionary at Christmas time is insane, so that's nice. The 2 week count down has begun, and were currently sitting at 11 days till Argentina. 

Monday- We had a classic p-day of basketball and talking and good stuff. We went to Culvers with Hermanas Mueller and Risenmay, and that was quite fun. Then we went with the ZL's to give some Hermanas a blessing. We talked to them for a while and it was a good night. 

Tuesday- We got to go to the Temple in the morning, so that was awesome. Then we went on transfers with our DL and his greenie Elder Kolberg, who is a stud for sure. Me and Payne went with Kolberg and we popped off, we went to his area and talked to a person they haven't gotten to talk to for a long time, and we taught a heat lesson with a dude from South America (forgot what country). But it was an awesome night and it was super fun to be with Kolberg for a night. 

Wednesday- Una dia muy bien. We taught a super good lesson with the Torres family, I definitely think that they will be getting baptized in the next couple months. Then we went to a little Christmas Party, with a part member family with the Hermanas. It was super fun, and we got to do a good amount of teaching, and had a ton of fun at the party haha.

Thursday- The 2 week countdown begins. We had district council, Elder Trejo's last one ever! It was super good, we had a good time. It was kinda sad but it's good, we took funeral pics for him haha. We had soccer night and I for sure balled but nothing crazy, I did play some heat defense though. 

Friday- Christmas Eve! Very fun day, we played lots of basketball in the morning, and then went home and I made Baller Santa Pancakes (it wouldn't be Christmas Eve without them). Then we had a dinner with our ward mission leader and it was super good. It was an awesome time with very heat food. When we got home we watched about 30 minutes of Elf haha. (Our mission president approved it).

Saturday- CHRISTMAS! I woke up to Elder Gray yelling "Santa Came! Santa Came!" The best possible way to wake up Haha. We opened up presents, and then balled up, and had Christmas Jams rocking in the background so that was definitely vibey. Then we went back and got to help some members move which was a great way to spend Christmas! Then we went to a members house for dinner which was very fun, and then we went caroling for about 2 ¹/2 hours. It was actually really fun, we had an amazing time singing and dinking around haha. The amount of candy and treats we brought home is Mind-Blowing. We had a fantastic Christmas!

Sunday- Good day, we sang in sacrament (yikes!) They told us we sounded good but I know they were lying. We had a great lesson with the Torreses and were happy to see them progressing! Unfortunately when we were out we got a call saying that Elder Payne is leaving me and becoming a district leader! So that's sad, I will be staying in Syracuse for 9 days with my new comp Elder Brady. My favorite part of this transfer is the Elder Backman is moving to my district so that's crazy hype! Lots of changes for the last couple days in Utah but it should be good.

Gracias for reading, I hope all of you had a very Merry Christmas, hope you got some dope presents and remembered the true meaning of Christmas.

Love, Elder Ditto

Flight Plans!

 Hola, we had a fire week, lots of action, staying super busy. Lots of good stuff.

Monday- Decent P-day, we balled out. We played some basketball but most of our district was sick though, so it was just us the ZL's and the Hermanas. It was fun though, we went to Señor Pollo which was heat. Unfortunately we didn't have enough funds so we didn't go shopping and basically starved this week hahaha. It was dope.

Tuesday- Pretty fire day we had a zone Christmas party which was super fun. We had a White Elephant and it was dope. Not to flex but my gift was the one that was stolen 3 times first so... It was really fun, and of course spiritual. That night was CRAZY, it was raining and we went into a member's house to talk about some interested people that are from Peru. When we left it was snowing like crazy it was insane. I couldn't even open my eyes because it was so windy and snowy Haha but it was awesome. When the ZL's got home we played in the snow for like an hour cause these silly boys are from Texas and haven't ever MADE A SNOW MAN! So we made a snowman and then Elder Gray tackled him haha. We then had an awesome snowball game where we ran back and forth and the other guys hucked snowballs at you.

Méorciles- I realized that the Spokane snow plow system really does just suck because we woke up and I was expecting all the roads to be covered but they were all like 100% clear. We had a good day on our way to a meeting that night we found this awesome piece of ice that was like a perfect sword so we had a quick photoshoot.

Jueves- A very good District Council, it was a lot of fun and super good. That night we met a family from Peru and they are super awesome half of them are members so you know what that means... But they invited us in and made us some HEAT. It was like rice, potatoes and this chicken sauce and it was soooooo yummy. Probably the best thing I ate all week.

Viernes- We had a fire day, we talked to this super cool guy named Cipriano and he is super nice, were going to meet with him again this week. We also got to go to a mission call opening, and that was fun.

Sabado- CrAzY dAy, it was insane, we zoomed to a few houses in the morning, and then we went to bountiful for a baptism from Payne's old area. We went to In n Out and it was very nice. We met some missionaries from the salt lake mission because they cover some of ours because they were the Tongan elders, it was super cool and they know my cousin Tyler! Then we went to the baptism and then went and started filling up the font for the ZL's baptism. It was crazy 2 baptisms in one day. We had a lesson with Alondra and she lied and told us she'd go to church tomorrow haha. After that we had a lesson with some member and watched the Christ child video and I love it so much.

Domingo- Had a meeting about missionary work at 10:30 and then after we zoomed home, walked as fast as we could because we were starving. The Torres family came to church!!! So awesome, it was super good. That night we taught them and it went way good. We brought our ward mission leader and he's a beast. They are definitely going to join the church. 

Thanks for reading this email. While writing this I actually got my flight plans!!! I will go to Atlanta and then I will go to Buenos Aires which is over a 12 hour flight so that's crazy! This week was awesome, our area is finally starting to pick up which feels so good. Love you all I hope you have a very Merry Christmas!

Some AMAZING news!!

 Holy cow what a week. By far the best week on the mission so far. I will say despite the length, this one is a must read.

Not even gonna do HL's, just read the whole thing.

Lunes- Very nice Zone P-day Lots of basketball, including greenies versus Veterans, unfortunately we lost but we got close and we were missing Elder Draughon. We also played football and that was very fun. Then we got home kinda late but did what we could with the night. We went to a little donation thing and talked to the guy who decided to sell his property so they could use it for the Syracuse Temple, and that was an awesome story. We got to meet a lot of cool members there + Hot Chocolate and Donuts so what else can you really ask for?

Martes- We left the mission! Don't worry, we got permission. Because I had to get Finger Prints and there isn't one in our mission we got to go to north Ogden, so that was cool. But getting finger prints was so annoying, they need a new machine or something. That night we had a Christmas lesson with the Whitesides, which was awesome and they are such a nice family. They told us that their sister in law who we were teaching before she moved back to Equator is getting baptized! So that's cool to know we played a part in that.

Miércoles- Woke up at 5 so we could zoom to the Temple! Holy cow was that an awesome experience. I don't know exactly what it was but it was amazing I love the temple so much and hope everyone can go inside one day. Then we went to a nice little place called Smoke and Bones and got a Heat burger. Then we had District Council and it was quite good indeed Elder Draughon said his goodbyes. We talked about how to find better (which clearly helped, just wait and see) and how we can help the Torres family. When we got home I finally felt like I had time to stop and think about the day without being surrounded by 100 Elders haha. But that night was great, we met a really Cool guy named Cip we had an awesome chat and gave him a BoM. Then we had a good lesson with the Diaz family and it was also super nice.

Jueves- Very sad day we had to say good bye to our beloved Elder Draughon. But don't worry cause I'll see him in a month! But we said bye to him in the morning IN THE SNOW!!! Finally it snowed, I've been waiting months for it to snow. We met some cool new people, we met Steve who was very nice and talked to us for like 20 minutes in the cold, it was very nice to get meet and talk to him. Then we had soccer night, and me and Elder Zulick had a KILLA play it was insane I gave him an INSANE pass, and then he booted it right in through like 5 different guys. It was extraordinary. 

Viernes- The start of the weekend, the start of a very good weekend. We got to make an amazing district Christmas card it's very heat and I don't care who says we didn't win cause we definitely did. But that was tons of fun, we were laughing the entire time. Then we met Fernando who is very cool, and set up a lesson with him. Then we taught the Mendoza family which was super awesome.

Sabado- Crazy day, so cool. We went to our mission Christmas conference and got hear from Elder Quentin L. Cook. It was awesome. We were taking a massive group photo and this one elder fainted, I guess he was locking his knees and holding his breath or something. But it was an awesome devotional, so spiritual. Then after President toldme some BIG news:

I'm headed to Argentina on January 6, 2022. 

I never thought this day would come but I'm so excited to go to Mendoza! We had a super awesome night though. We went and visited Alondra who we've been trying to see since like week 2 of last transfer, and she told us she wants to come to church next week and we set up a lesson with her for Tues. Then we went and met Juan! He said that we could come back and teach him and his family on Saturday! We then met with the Alvarez family and the other Elders happened to be there haha, it was pretty funny, but we had an awesome time, they are so cool. It was an awesome night.

Domingo- I didn't think we'd actually find any more people but indeed I was wrong. We went to church and then had a meeting and then watched the setting apart of our new Elders Quorum. So we left the house at 12:30 and didn't get home until 5. Kinda felt like my dad haha. Then we went and had a great lesson with Daniel and he's so ready to get baptized but I think his wife might be holding him back unfortunately. Then we met with Giovani and he said he would try to read the BoM and he knows that he needs to take initiative and actually do it, and we scheduled to meet next week. Then we met another guy but forgot to get his name haha oops. Then we met Carlos! Such an awesome day we got to talk with so many people and hopefully help them grow and come unto Christ.

I haven't made my letters as spiritual as they should be so I'll tell you my favorite parts of the conference with Elder Cook. One thing in the devotional was that people can sense our light we have. It's not just missionaries, everyone who has been baptized in the restored gospel. Our light and our countenance is enough to help people learn of Christ.

I'm so grateful for the opportunity to be a missionary right now, I know that this is the greatest work on earth and I'm so thankful to participate in it right now. I hope everyone is doing good, and staying safe.

Merry Christmas, Elder Ditto.

Elder Arce's Birthday!

 Welcome to another episode of Elder Ditto's Sick Mission. On this weeks episode look forward to many exciting events! This week was solid it was hard but fun.

HL's

- Tuesday Elder Payne woke up and he couldn't really taste anything, so we had to spend a lot of the day quarantining until we got results.

- Elder Arce's Birthday, such a fun day, we partied hard.

- Ward Christmas party, lots of fun and food!

Monday- We had a great P-day, In the morning we played basketball and I actually played pretty good. Elder Arce and Elder Gray met my Grandparents so that's crazy. Then we went and played more basketball. We played like 5 hours of basketball it was good stuff.

Tuesday- During breakfast Elder Payne said that he couldn't really taste breakfast (oh no) he even had a scoop of some super strong salsa and he got nothing. So sadly we had to spend most of the day quarantining. But we got the results in time to go to the ZL's volleyball night with them. That was lots of fun but I didn't start playing good until the end.

Mierocoles- The bummiest day of the week. We were going to have a lesson with the Torres family and press them about baptism but then right before the lesson they told us they want to stay catholic :( But we kinda talked to them a little and after sharing about temples and eternal families they seemed to be a little more open to it. Luckily they still want to meet with us and so hopefully we can still teach and eventually baptism them. Then we went to Najla's house and it was so sad because of what she is going through in her life right now. I felt even worse that I couldn't understand her that well because of Spanish. But I went home and was super sad, I'm very glad I have an Elder Arce in my life who is the best and talks to and encourages me.

Jueves- Good day, before district council we went to Elders Bethea and Roberts and they cooked us deer steaks which were super yummy. We had District council and it was very good. I love my district, they are the coolest. Our "We The North" shirts came because we are the Spanish north zone, and we are very proud and passionate about it. So we took so sick pictures. 

Friday- We did some service in the morning at a food bank and that was fun. Went went out to lunch after. I got an email about Visa stuff, so that's super Awesome! When we were out we stopped by this English ward's Christmas party and brought home a ton of ham, so that was a nice addition to the night. 

Saturday- ELDER ARCE'S BIRTHDAY. We partied hard all day. In the morning we woke up extra early and balled out. Then we went home and made Elder Arce some fire Blueberry Pancakes, then we went to the Family History center so I could start the Visa process. Where 2 companionships of Hermanas came and gave Arce presents (Arce felt like the man for sure haha). Then we went to Texas Roadhouse for Lunch and we got paid for!! It was super yummy. Then did studies and that night we had our ward Christmas party, it was awesome I love Latino parties except that they BLAST the music so when you already are bad at Spanish AND the music is BLASTING it makes real hard to know what people are saying haha. Then we went and got some birthday Ice Cream for E. Arce.

Domingo- Fast Sunday :( it was a good fast Sunday. We went to the church and talked more about Najla's situation with bishop because he understands Spanish way better, her baby Robert got blessed on Sunday so that's super awesome! Then we had a nice and good testimony meeting. Elder Draughon bore his final testimony in Utah cause he goes to Mendoza on Thursday! I'm so excited to see him down there! But then we went and watched the Christmas devotional with our Bishop.

Thanks for reading. I'm glad to he out here, everyday is crazy and some days its exhausting and all I wanna do is sleep but it's a huge blessing. Thank you for all the Emails I received this week it means a lot! Please keep sending them! 

Love you guys tons!