That Missionary Life

Here are three fun facts about St. Croix, before I begin! 1. "I'm from the murder capitol, where they murder for capitol" - Ye (interpolating Jay Z) The murder rate per capita here is around  15x  higher than the US average. We are certainly in the top 1% (but in murder, not capitol). Luckily, it's pretty much completely gang related so I should be fine. However, on this island, I am allowed to go into the housing projects, which wasn't allowed in Puerto Rico (and housing projects are  typically  where gangs are). So, I'm in the belly of the beast. 2. "dropped in a forgotten spot in the carribean" - Burr "as a kid in the carribean, I wished for a war" - Hamilton "Alex got better but his mother went quick" - ensemble Yeah, Hamilton lived on this island and his mother is buried 10 minutes away from where I live now. This is probably why I've felt more desire to write my political opinions and create my own form of goverment in a...

I'm island hopping. El miercoles me voy pa la islita de santa cruz (St. Criox). si quieres fotos de eso, aquí es un link https://photos.app.goo.gl/ BMgVdqVCuya1nsUu6 For the last 2 weeks I thought I would be going to Dominica, but I guess MP was just pranking me. St Criox is an island with a population of about 44-50 thousand people and TWO missionaries. I will be a bit lonely. But, it is where my trainer, elder Gillins, served and I look up to him (I only say that cuz he's not on my email list) so I'm excited to follow in his footsteps. I am a bit sad to leave Puerto Rico, because I really love this place. la verdad, pr es otra cosa. We visited Old San Juan last week and I can already picture taking my future family there someday.  I can see the future, its lookin good. Also if anyone wants to give me a job after my mission so I am able to afford visiting pr w my future wife and 11 kids, just let me know ;) tranquila familia, vo'a llevarte pa pr  Spanish progress is go...

Qué es la que hay? Life is good. awkward elder leaves this week, but I'll miss him cuz I fear now  I'll  be awkward elder. Elder Mancía is cool, he just calls everyone Woody (idk if its a language barrier thing or a culture thing or just a quirk. "bien echo, Woody" Despite being on a tropical island, surrounded by water (as islands typically are), Puerto Rico is running out of water. Luckily, my city doesn't look like it'll be affected--for now at least-- but a lotta other cities are gonna be doing a fun thing where they DO have water for two days   but then they don't have water for two days   but I've been unaffected, hasta ahora. "Él es homeless cool, no es homeless random" - Elder Mancía Speaking of the homeless, we told a homeless woman she was a child of God, she immediately kinda pounced at my companion and did a lil FNaF jumpscare thing. My poor comp got into a kinda ninja fighting pose but it was not very intimidating.  Homeless lady...

Here is a link to my google photos album, you can join it and see photos from my mission. Comment something funny si quieres :) https://photos.app.goo.gl/ BMgVdqVCuya1nsUu6 Here are some quotes/scriptures/poems I've stumbled upon as of late: "The Son of God suffered unto the death, not that men might not suffer, but that their sufferings might be like His." - The Problem of Pain by C. S. Lewis " Had I but serv’d my God with half the zeal I served my king, He would not in mine age Have left me naked to mine enemies." - King Henry the Eighth by William Shakespeare "a mighty change was also wrought in their hearts, and they humbled themselves and put their trust in the true and living God. And behold, they were faithful until the end; therefore they were saved"  - Alma 5:13 "Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it, Prone to leave the God I love. Here’s my heart, O take and seal it; Seal it for Thy courts above." - Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing by ...