S1:E15 The One With The first Baptisms and We Moved

 Good afternoon America. How are ya?


 It's been a crazy week. We had some awesome lesions, I got to talk to an apostle in real life, first baptism, and we moved into our new house. 

 I don't really have any time today to talk but have a good week everyone. Next week I will explain more about everything but until then you can read my past emails on my website at Eldertaitdraper.blogspot.com
 

love and miss you all!

Elder Draper

S1:E14 The One With the Three Gringos

Hey guys! 

So some pretty crazy things happened this week. Fist crazy thing is I have some new companions. We had some emergency transfers because of some disobedient missionaries. So I am now in the area of Tenextepango! It's about an hour and a half from my past area and it is really different. My last area was in the city and now I am in the fields. It's the largest area in the mission so we take a ton of busses every day.

The trio is back and better than ever!!! I'm in a trio with Elder Walker from Idaho and Elder Andrus from California. Its super fun and I like them both a lot. 

Today we got the opportunity to go to an ancient ruin and it was awesome! We walked through some old tunnels that were tiny and had a really good time. Did some handstands on top of a pyramid and fell down it... Dont worry Im fine. Stupid, worth it. 

The work here is good and there are a lot of things moving. Hopefully we have a baptism next Saturday! Also I get the opportunity to talk to an apostle this week. Elder Suarez is visiting our mission and I can't wait! The whole mission is going up to the Mexico city temple.

That's about it for the week. Love and miss you all. For pictures look at my website.

Elder Draper

S1:E13 The One With Indiana Jones and The Day of The Dead

Happy Halloween! 

I am a couple of days late but I have a good excuse. I'm in Mexico. Hopefully your festivities were great. I have a short funny story about my Halloween costume.

 So I have been looking for a good hat to help with the sun (because yup, It's still hot). Well Tuesday I finally found the perfect one and bought it. So Wednesday (Halloween Day) I was getting ready for the day, with my new hat, and I look in the mirror and realized what I had done... I had put together the perfect Indiana Jones outfit. its awesome. Everyone one on the street that day called me Indiana Jones. 

 DÍAS DE LOS MUERTOS WAS AWESOME! I felt like I was living the life of coco! Unfortunately I didn't get to talk to all of my dead ancestors and party all night. The streets here were covered and parties were everywhere. that night was loco (poco loco). There were a ton of offerings to the dead and the flowers in the street. Here is a little bit about the tradition here. You place flowers in the street leading to the photos of your family who aren't here with us anymore and on the same table you leave food that they used to like and things that they used to like to do. They also have candles that have a very distinct and strong smell only for the day of the dead to help invite the spirits. Also It's not just one day. It starts on the 30th of October and that day you place your offerings to the dead and the pictures and flowers. The dead then have until November 2nd to eat or enjoy the things and then the living can eat what's left over. Also November 1st is a day for the kids. They dress up and trick or treat.

 So I have a funny story. One night this week I woke up at about 2 in the morning and heard a hissing sound. (never a good sound) so I woke up and turned to put my sandals on when I realized what had happened. So I walked over to my companion and said disperse! Mucha Agua! He was confused and still deep in sleep and went to put his sandals on as well and he woke up fast. Our house had flooded in the middle of the night. It sucked. We had about 3 inches of water in all of our house. So ya. 

 I have 2 baptisms planned for this Saturday! I am really excited for them. Their names are Erica and Margarita. They have progressed so far and they love the gospel. Saul is getting close and we have a baptism date set for the end of the month but he has a really hard time coming to church. The church is true. If you are thinking about going on a mission, do it. If you have a question ask the missionaries. If you have extra food also talk to the missionaries. They will take care of both of those problems really fast. Also be a missionary and invite others to come to church with you. 

 I think that about wraps this week up! If you want to see some pictures or past emails look at my website 

Love and miss you all.

Elder Draper

S1:E12 The One with the Clown Dogs

Hey Guys!

Good week. I have some really great investigators and the work is really moving. Spanish is a breeze, just kidding, but im really progressing.

 A couple of kind of funny things happened this week. First I have a dog... Its a street dog... there are millions of street dogs here. For the past 2 weeks I have had this black lab follow us around and we named her Rita. She sleeps outside our house and follows us around to every appointment. Soooo ya. Second I was part of a clown act... Don't know how to really explain it but it kind of explains itself. I will just paint a small picture of what the experience was like. I'm in Mexico and the clown says hey guero come here and be my assistant. So I was his assistant for like 15 minutes while did stuff at a party. It was great! 

 I worked my tail off this week. We now have about 4 new investigators this week. This time next week I should have my first baptism dates for my investigators. Wahoooo! 

 I love you all and hope to talk to you guys soon. check my website for pictures.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aZ-6BtQzo4A/

Elder Draper