I get called Elder Burke a lot.

So this week was really rainy. I sent some photos home so that you`ll all be able to enjoy the fun I had in the rain.

So let`s start with some fun stuff... from the photos. This horse was wandering around our apartment when we got home one day for lunch. We had some apples that none of use wanted to eat, so I went out and fed the horse because he looked hungry. Then I gave him some water and he fell in love with me. He wouldn't leave me alone. Everywhere I went, he followed. So we took care of it for a bit and then we mounted it. So there is a photo of me on the horse. It was fun. We took a stroll around the street and my companion followed me around with my camera. Then we went inside and he went home to his owner. We see him every once in awhile.


Another little note. That tie I`m wearing is a tie that I made. I had this blue bathrobe I found in the MTC and it got old/torn. So I cut it up and made a tie. It is actually pretty good, if I may say so myself. I love it. It is now one of my favorites.


There is also a photo of me and my companion... with another elder. The elder on the left is Elder Burke. EVERYONE confuses us here. All the people in the stake think we are the same. So I get called Elder Burke a lot. Elder Gubler is the one on the right. He is really cool. We have spent hours getting to know each other. We’ve had to run home in the rain a few times and change. With all that "free time" we have come to know each other. He actually knows a lot of people I do, here in the mission and out of it. One the teachers that taught him in the MTC was Spencer Salmon! I yelled when I saw the photo. It was cool.


The work here is amazing. That couple who went to church last week came again. They are really progressing well. I’m happy about their success. As well as many others. One of my goals has been to baptize a family. I’ve never been able to baptize an entire family. So I’ve got high hopes for all the couples I teach. We are teaching a lot right now and I’m excited to continue teaching them. I don’t have a wonderful story this week. I wish I did. But I don’t really have time anyway. I’ll keep this short because I sent home photos. I don’t know if Windy will put them up, but I sent some home of the skies here. I will miss Argentine skies. Ever since I started taking photos of the skies here I can’t stop. All of my companions think it is weird because I’m colorblind... but they never knew my mother.

I have some saddening news. I told everyone I was going to extend. It is not for sure anymore. I need to stay with an elder, and I found one. But he recently told me that he might not be able to do it. So if he can’t, neither can I. We’ll see... but I’ll keep you all posted.

Love ya,
Tommy

PS Send me some photos sometime. I would love to see home and how everyone is doing.
PPS Write me too... A REAL Letter. I’ll reply if you ask me to.

my onset of baldness

I'm late as usual. I changed companions again... and when we got home we only had 45 minutes before an appointment and so we ran to the cyber only to find out that they had one computer... So I let my companion write his family and we took off. It is a good thing too... because although the appointment failed on us... we found a family of 5. So I'm happy, but that means I'm writing you all late. A little funny side note... there are always accidents with the trains when all the missionaries of the mission need to be in one place. So everyone always gets there late.

Well, this week has been an interesting one. A lot of things happened and I have no time to explain all of it. But here is a basic run through... I'm going bald. My companion left. We saw miracles and I'm dying from lack of rest. Let`s go through and explain those somewhat.

I cut my hair this week. I decided to just whack it all off because it is REALLY hot. Little did I know it was going to get colder later on. Anyway, I get my hair cut and run my fingers through my hair... I hate to say it, but I'm basically bald already. My hair is SO thin. I always wanted to be a white haired old man. Well, that might still happen, but only in the back. The top of my head will soon be a shinny white spot. I talked to some people down here and all of them told me the same thing... I'm stressed. I’ve put myself through too much in too little amount of time. Whatever the cause, I'm coming to grasps with the reality of my onset of baldness. I guess we need at least ONE in the family. YEAH YEAH... REPRESENT!

Side note, lots of people wrote me this week. About 3 times more than normal and this is the only week I have literally 0 time. So I’ll reply better next week.

The president told me that I still have things to do here in Mayol. He seems to be confident that I’m the elder for the job. So he left me in Mayol and took out Elder Roy. Now I’m with Elder Bugler from Saint George (like Elder Mortensen). He is really cool. A little too like me. I’ll send photos next week. I love him already. He was actually taught by Spencer Salmon in the MTC!!!

Some of the miracles that we saw this week were from the changes in the hearts of the people. We are teaching this wonderful couple who are just awesome. Some of the weirdest people I’ve ever known. But I know that I was sent to find them because they and I fit together perfectly. I love them so much. They came to church this week and liked it. They went home early because they were worried about their kids, but they came! Afterwards she was asking me questions about whether her son would be able to be a missionary like us if they were baptized and all that stuff. I was so happy when we talked about that. They understand things so well. Their only problem is that they are really intelligent, so the answers come slowly to the heart. They are a strange folk. She is super intelligent and first grade teacher looking. While he has piercings and tattoos and always wears Slipknot shirts. Haha. I don’t think anyone will understand me. But it is for people like them that I don’t think I’ll ever be able to go home.

I’m tired.

I guess that about explains it all. I have some wonderful questions that I’ll try to answer for all.

I have a few questions, Tommy….I always want to know about everyday life. So I can picture you in your proper surroundings. Like, what kind of apartment are you in now? Windows? Shower? Private door? Kitchen?
The apartment is smallish. We have 5 rooms. 2 bedrooms, a bathroom, kitchen, and study room. We have changed things up a million times because we get tired of things they way they are. Currently things are separated, but they use to be all together. There is one window per room, a shower and basically no working doors. The bathroom door is the only one that closes all the way. Oh, and the front door. But basically none of them are closed ever. Imagine it.

Where do you study? Kitchen table? Bed?
We have a desk for the two of us. We don’t have a kitchen table really. There is a small table in the kitchen, but it is about 2X3 feet wide. So we study at a desk full of books and papers and whatnot.

Where do you sleep?
In a bed.

Hot, hot…do you have fans?
Very hot. Air doesn’t come in... and when it does, it is dirty. So we keep 2 fans running all the time. When we move rooms, so do the fans.

What do you eat for breakfast?
I know you all will tell me I’ll die of the scurvy, but chocolate milk...... nothing else.

Lunch on the road, so to speak? Or at home?
Lunch is normally with members or in the apartment. We normally don’t have time/supplies to cook... so we order out a few sandwiches or something.

Dinner?
We don’t eat dinner. If we are hungry when we get home we snack on something. But people here don’t eat dinner, so neither do we. Just a large lunch.

What are you studying now, during study time? Surely now Spanish!
I don’t study Spanish... shame on me. But I’m reading the Book of Mormon more than anything. I crack open Jesus the Christ every once and awhile.

I’m not sure how the southern hemisphere goes…are you up before the sun, or after?
We get up right about when the sun comes over the house tops. We’re gonna try running soon, so I’ll be able to tell you better later on, if you remind me.

And are you in the city or the country? Actually, have you ever been in the country?
Kind of yes/no to both. Country COUNTRY no. But there are fields and stuff. I’m not in the city though. More like the suburbs bordering the country.... in all my areas.

How far do you think you walk in an average day?
Probably about 5-7 miles. More or less.

Love you all,
Elder Tommy

I’ve felt very much like a father

I'm super tired. We woke up at 5 this morning to get into the city early and get in line to take out the marriage papers for a few investigators. On the 12th of March they will be married and the 13th they will be baptized!!!! I hope I'm still around. Yesterday their youngest son came up to me in sacrament meeting and asked me if I would accompany him. I asked him where he was going and he pointed at the pulpit to give his testimony. This young, precious child is 6 years old and has never borne his testimony. So I smiled and went with him. He said the church was true and then talked about his parents a bit. It was cute. I then gave my testimony and felt like a father figure. I shared a testimony of the pure in heart and the blessings that come from them, especially children. This week and last I’ve felt very much like a father. All of the young children I know act as if I'm their father. Hmm... let me explain.

Most families here are not very organized and/or separated. So when we teach, we act a lot like a caring father... or uncle or whatever. So a lot of the kids look up to us like that. It also helps that everyone thinks I'm like 30 (My baby face is not working for me anymore). Last week at church one of the girls I baptized came to church with a lip piercing. She couldn't even look at me. When we went over to her house she was so ashamed that she took it out. She even said I was acting like a father. Life is weird as a missionary. The weirdest things happen and the weirdest thoughts go through your mind.

I’d say that my major joys from this week are that this girl took her piercing out, the couple took out all the paperwork to get married, another couple stopped smoking and one of our investigators stopped gambling to be more like Christ. That certainly makes the week great! I’ve been thinking that I should put my highlights of the week in every e-mail so that you all know that I'm happy and feeling joy. I don't know if you can imagine all of these things happening to you in one week, but it is great!

In other news, I bought one of those super noisy and annoying alarm clocks to wake me up. You know the one with the hammer and two bells on top. It actually wakes me up. I don't need to rely on my companion anymore. I bought it in a flea market last week. It works great and is a stylish fire truck red.

I’ve been taking more photos of the skies here and of people. I’ll try to send them next week because I forgot my cable today. I’m planning on making a tie today too... so I’ll let you all know how that goes. If there are any requests... PLEASE send me them. I don’t hear anything from anyone. What do my faithful listeners want?

Love ya’ll (for the Momas)
Elder Tommy Steinkuhler

I write in books

teaching a family

Question: How’s your weight? Are you fat from being fed well, or skinny from starving and walking everywhere?

Answer: I'm getting skinnier. I've walked a lot more and the members have basically stopped feeding us... and I don't cook much anymore. I also drink a lot of water, so I'm not very hungry. So I kind of just drink milk and eat bread/empenadas. Don't worry... I'm healthy. I won’t die of the scurvy.

Well, this week was long. I managed to stay away from all kinds of metal trashcans and bawling fits. However, I did almost die in the heat and my pants don't fit me very well. I also managed to re-sew my shoes and take some fun pictures. I’ve been taking more photos recently. Especially photos of the sunsets. I’ll try to send some home today.



Bad news... people have been getting mad at me. I know that NORMALLY we shouldn't write in books. But when we give away books of The Book of Mormon, I write in them. I write how to pray and where to read. Well, until a few weeks ago... no one has got mad. For the first time ever, this lady blew up at me. And ever since then my companion likes to bring it up when I write in other people`s books. So people have been making it known to me that I should not write in books. And when they see my scriptures, they almost faint. I think it has to be the people I'm teaching right now... not all people. Most people here don't care about books... they are normally dirty and shredded. So a few arrows and words should be okay, no? All well...

teaching a family

Funny little story. Last Sunday we went to a member’s house to eat. They were watching Harry Potter 6 the movie. It killed me a little, but I asked them to turn it off. They saw the sadness in my face and asked me why. I explained how much I love Harry Potter and how much I have been waiting for all the movies and books. They were all excited that I knew what was going to happen in the 7th movie. They asked me what happens, and I explained it... sort of. After doing that the youngest wanted to read the book, but didn't have it. I happen to have a copy in Spanish... that I can’t/don’t use. He wanted to borrow it, so I told him he could... but only after he finished the Book of Mormon. So he grabbed his book and started reading. He is 9 years old. I expected it would be a joke and he’d give up. He said he’d read the book in one week, so that the next Sunday when we ate with them again, I would bring Harry Potter 7. Well, I brought it by but he hadn't finished the book. He was in Heleman 11!!!!! For those of you who know the Book of Mormon, Heleman is REALLY FAR! He said he didn't understand it all, but he will finish it to read Harry Potter 7. BUT WAIT, it doesn't end there. We were telling another family about it and their son (12 years old) got jealous and said... and what about me? I asked what he wanted and he told me a dollar. Well... 1 dollar is nothing, even here. Not to mention I have no 1 dollar bills. So I told him I’d give him 10 dollars if he read the Book of Mormon in one week, and 5 if it took him 2 weeks. I know I'm kind of paying people to read the scriptures, but I don't feel bad at all.

This week was especially hot. I am no fan of the heat, but we will make it through. I need to cut my hair, but I'm afraid that when I do I will burn my scalp with the heat.

Other than that, I don't have anything to say. Because I need to go. Sorry this is short.

I love you all,
Elder Steinkuhler

PS could someone please do me a favor? I would like to write President Richardson, but I don't know what mission he is in. Can someone find his address for me?

PPS No one asked me to write them a real letter... so I'm not going to write anything. Don't complain if I don't send you anything.