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