Monday, March 31, 2008

march 31, 2008

Dear Harris Family,

I hope ustedes are doing well (by the way thanks for reminding me of the "usted" thing and I will use it with you guys). Yeah, it is crazy here in Mexico, I have a really dark tan, probably the darkest it has ever been or ever will be. I have learned alot about the mission work and have eaten alot of Mexican food. Luckily I really like it (I am used to eating spicy food, that is a plus, believe me) so no trouble there. Well, I hope all is well with you guys and I look forward to your stories. (Good luck with the new baby-in less than a month, right?)

God bless,

Elder Arellano
 

Tuesday, March 25, 2008

march 24, 2008

Dear Everyone,

I have arrived.....in Mexico. That is still good news. I actually have another or rather my new email address for my mission. Unfortunately, I left it at my house, but luckily I still have this one. By the end of the day I am going to send it to all of you, and I don´t think I will use the Nelben email, but don`t worry I will send it to you. This is my first P-day at the field and it is very hot. Before I get into that the flights were crazy. I kept my cool and by the second flight I was used to flying. But I won´t be flying anytime soon. I don`t know if you have already received the email from Presidente Gardner, but it shows my picture. I can´t believe it has already been a week and alot has happened. On Thursday I received my first companion in the field. His name is Elder Miranda Hernandez and he is from Mexico City. In other words he is a Chilango, that is Mexican lingo for ya. I am now confident enough to say I can understand 100% of Spanish, but there are so much "Mexican" spanish for me to learn. Luckily I am learning fast and I can speak pretty well, or at least that is what they say. Just kidding, I still have a bunch to learn. But everyone I talk to thinks I am Mexican(I wonder why) and always say I am from Utah and they are stunned. I than tell them I am Ecuadoriano (well at least my parents are ) but they say I speak pretty well. Now, I feel kind of bad because I am going to learn alot of Mexican spanish, but I want to learn Ecuadorian Spanish too. It´s in my blood and I feel obligated to do it. So please keep writing me in Spanish and tell me if you can of some sayings, words, or phrases that are from Ecuador. Contacting has been interesting, I will be doing that alot and teaching too. I have taught so much so far, but tomorrow I will teach a whole lesson by myself to a member´s sister. So, there you go. Anyway, I am glad I got many things from the MTC, the language, how to teach, contact, and alot of other things. It is so weird here, but I really feel "one with Spanish", I find myself speaking and I don´t have to think at times. The Lord has helped me a ton though, and I hope to keep progressing. Everyday I learn something new and everything is so different. This morning I had to wash my clothes by hand, it took me a while but it wasn´t too bad. I changed all my "American" money for pesos( well almost, I still have a bunch of American change) but yep, yep, yep. I have blisters on my toes, and it is sooooooooooooo hot! I hope you get this, the computers here are pretty good, but the keyboard is different. Anyway, my first area to serve is Jojutla B ( I probably should´ve mentioned that first) the B is my area as area A is for another companionship to cover. I don´t know what else to tell ya, but I do miss all of you and I know I am a servant of the Lord and I must continue ¨"adelante" and just keep my faith. Well, take care and I hope to hear from you soon.

Sincerely, Elder Arellano

P.S. I am not sure how fast the mail service is, but we will find out won´t we? The President says its fine, so I'll believe him. Oh, tell me if you recieved the photos and other boxes of stuff I didn't need. It looks like email will be the fastest way, but anyway, ¡Hasta Luego!
 

march 18, 2008

Dear Arellano Family,

I am of now am still here at the MTC. Missionaries in my branch are really
feeling sorry for me, but it's okay. Well, my whole group finally left on
Monday morning, and I am the last one in my District. What happened last week
that made things turn around for my group was when Elder Heyn got called down to
the Travel Office saying he had to go with a group of missionaries to Salt Lake
City to sign his visa. Eventually after that he got his flight plans and left
on Friday. After that both of my other companions Elder Cornelius and Elder
Zamora got to go to Salt Lake City and they got their flight plans on Friday.
It was sad to see each of one of my District go but I said it a bunch of times
and I'll say it again, they are great missionaries and will serve well. I, on
the other hand, got to go to Salt Lake City on Friday to sign my visa and put my
thumbprint on it. It was weird because we drove right by University Parkway and
it brought back a lot of memories. But I don't have my flight plans yet. Turns
out the Mexican consulate has a hard heart and has not verified my group of
Missionaries going to Cuernavaca yet. The Travel Office is getting frustrated
with this guy, but I should know late at 2:00 if I get my travel plans or not.
It's been good so far though, today I am with another district as I am not
supposed to be by myself, District B. They are a really good district and I
will enjoy my P-Day today (Hopefully my last one here at the MTC-I mean that in
a good way). Well, whatever happens, as soon as I get my travel plans, I might
get to call you guys so to make sure you know when I really leave to Mexico.
But all is well over here, take care and expect a package from me soon.

Sincerely,

Elder Still here Ben Arellano

march 4, 2008

Dear Harris Family,

Thanks for the email and the encouragement. I have been getting a lot of "you will be fine" but it is soooo good to hear from you. I am sure I will be okay, my base in Spanish is pretty good now. Tell Mark I said, "Hola" and tell Diana and Maria too.

Thanks again,

Elder Arellano

march 4, 2008

Dear Harris Folks,

This is my final week at the MTC and I will be in Mexico in about a week. Yesterday I had to go to a Health and Safety Meeting for missionaries who are going to Foreign missions so I know what to avoid. They say to avoid food from the food stands run by the people and I am going to avoid that like the plague. Even though my companion Elder Cornelius said he didn't get sick when he ate that food when he went to Mexico with his family, I am doing all that I can to avoid Diarreah. Anyway, if it isn't too much to ask, when you write to me feel free to write to me in Spanish so I can keep praticing reading Spanish. I am happy to say that my Spanish is coming along and alot of people say I really don't have alot to worry about when I go to Mexico. I do have to worry about being the Travel group leader to five missionaries when we go the Airport. I am sure it will be fine. I know it will be a leap of faith but I know it will be okay.

Sincerely,

Elder Ben Arellano

february 26, 2008

Dear Mark and Nataly,
It is great that I have your email address now so I can send you an email. Well, I have been here for about seven weeks and I have about two weeks left until I hit Mexico Cuernavaca. I am glad that you (Nataly) told me a little about how this place was about the orange stickers and the food. I am happy to say that now I am losing a little bit of weight instead of gaining weight. I don't know if you know but I have two companions with me and they are awesome. They are Elder Cornelius and Elder Lama. Anyway my email time is running out and I just want to say to you (Mark) I can't wait to see you in about twenty two months and Nataly good luck with your new son. Also, my email time is on Tuesdays at around 8:00-9:00 AM and 4:00-5:30 PM.

Love,

Elder Arellano