Week 11 (3/1/2010) Email to the Family

¡Hola!
Everything is going well here in Argentina. The area I am in is El Cruce in the zone Quilmes. We are about an hour from the capital. I am in the state of Buenos Aires but not the city. Its crazy all of the natural disasters that are happening everywhere! Things have been hard with Elder Sobré this last week or so, but we talked about it last night so I'm hoping it will get better from here. He is a great missionary, but he hasn't been that great of a trainer. He hasn't been too helpful or understanding. But we talked about things last night so I really hope they improve. Today has been a lot better. His last transfer is the next one so I will most likely be here in El Cruce until at least June 21. The Castellano is coming along slowly but surely. It can be really hard at times. Sometimes I can understand most of what people say and sometimes it don't understand anything. I really enjoy what I am doing here and the people here are really great. I think I will enjoy what I am doing a lot more once I am comfortable with the language. This is the hardest thing I have ever done. One of the days this week was the hardest I have had yet. I wasn't physically tired, but I was really really emotionally tired. I really missed you guys that day and I felt really frustrated with the language. I felt like I would never learn the language. We were at the Silvas for lunch and a white truck pulled up-which was weird in that area-and honked. I looked out the window and my heart jumped. I half hoped that I would look through the passenger seat window and see my dad sitting in the driver's seat with a smile on his face there to pick me up and take me home. I quickly brushed the thought aside and didn't bother looking at the driver. It wouldn't have helped. That day was a hard one, but it isn't usually that hard. At times I envy Pete getting to go to Oregon. Beautiful Oregon. It really isn't a sight to see where I'm at here in Argentina. Haha my mission is basically the southern slums of the big city. I would LOVE to go to the tide pools on P-day. Or to play disc golf. Or...or...or. I can´t think like that though. There are great things about every mission. The people here sure take their fútbol serious here. I played for my first time today and they were pretty into it. I jammed my right middle finger twice playing goalie. I asked how often they play basketball and they just laughed.  The area I am in is pretty poor but I really have to take my hat of to them for how efficient their public transportation system is.The food here can be really good. They have a lot of good sweets and the bread is amazing. They have these things here called alfajors and they are kind of like ding dongs but better. Also the ice cream here is amazing. There are some things I want you to send me, just see what you can do. I'll finalize my list next week and you can go from there but this just gives you an idea of what to get together. I don't know how hard this would be but I want you to send me the spices I would need to make chili, and not just once- lots of times. Also I need the recipe for it. You could just email me that, but I need to know how long to cook it and and all those good details. Also I want that camelbak backpack I used to use all the time, but not the bladder and tube. Its too dirty here to use those but I want a comfy backpack to wear around. If you don't think I could carry scriptures in it don't send it but I think I could put them in the bladder pouch or at least one in there and one in the pocket. I love that bag. I like the straps in the front. I would love to go hiking right now. Sometimes when we're walking a long ways and its hot I just think to myself, only a little longer and we drop into the canyon where its much cooler and not long after that there will be some nice cool water which by that time I will feel nice and cool and won't want to get in the water. Imagination is a great thing haha. Also, this isn't near as important but Yellow Gatorade powder would be amazing too. I think I'm going to need some new athletic shoes soon but I can buy those here. There were some other things I can't think of right now. Its so hard to find time to write letters here. We get back to the pench late a lot-I really wish we would get back on time, I told Elder Sobré we should but he didn't listen to me like usual-so thats a big reason. I'll find some time to write Sam another letter though.
     Hey Sam I don't have a whole lot of time left to email but I just want to let you know I love you. You are a great little brother. I won't be able to say that for much longer because soon you will be a great big brother. I'm glad to hear that you and Mom have been reading the Book of Mormon every day! That is so awesome! Don't worry if you don't finish it in time as long as you guys try! Every day is pretty dang good! I know the Book of Mormon is true. It has really helped me in my life. The Gospel is true buddy. I'm sure we would still be happy without it but our lives are so much better because of it and it is the way that we can return to live with God! Argentina is good. The language they speak here is NOT Spanish its Castellano. Don't mix that up. You should have Dad go to the park with you to play catch with the frisbee. Keep improving your throw and you'll be so much better than me and Pete when you're our ages. I look forward to playing games and Ultimate with you and Pete. I love you buddy. Hang in there. School can suck at times but it is a lot harder if you let it get you down. Be happy! That's the way I see things. Things are always better when you have a good attitude about things.
     I need to get going. I love you guys. I can't believe Pete is getting married on Friday! What are you guys doing about me not being there for pictures, do you have a cardboard cutout of me? Tell Pete I love him and hope the wedding goes well for him. You guys enjoy the wedding too! Dad and Sam each need to eat an extra piece of cake for me. Actually it would be better if you guys shoved cake in each other's face. Just eating it is fine too haha. I love you guys and sure miss you. Don't worry about me here in Argentina though, I'm doing just fine. I love the work, I love the people, and I love the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Until next week, ¡Paz!
Love, Elder Woodside