¡Hola! ¿Todos bien?

Here we are, the second week in Centro Argentina. Have I got some stories for you. Where to start… I’ve got to tell you, I’ve seen a few things in two weeks. I just wonder what else the next 22 months will bring.

I got my first Argentine haircut — well the person that cut my hair is a Peraguano (from Peru), but she lives here now. I needed one before our Zone Conference — which was good, if you understand Spanish — which I don’t, so I didn’t get much out of it. Oh well, next month.

I’m building a house, just in case you wanted to know. I know you really did. It’s actually an addition, if you can call it that, to one of our investigating family’s “house”. Their living conditions aren’t the best so I’m so glad I can do something for them. We are building the foundation of their house physically and the foundations of their spirits spiritually. Yes, I thought of that, pretty legit eh! It’s amazing the love I have already for this family, La Familia Figuroa. We scavanged about 2,345 bricks and had to scrape off the old morter, so fun!

There was a strike/riot next to the mall in Centro. There were cops and people everwhere. So we quickened our pace a little. Sometimes you hear someone’s door get breached with a bomb by the cops and when we hear it, it’s like “Oh, they’re screwed!”

Here in Argentina, it’s the culture to shake hands and kiss, would you like to hear my story about this? Ok, so we met this girl and she went in for the hug/kiss — it’s called a beso (fun fact for the day), and she just planted it on my cheek. I’m not going lie, it was way awkward and not to mention, she was about 14 years old. That was the first physical contact I’ve had with a girl for three months, awkward — and the bus contact doesn’t count!

It hit 115 degrees on Wednesday, yes, that’s a little toasty I’d say. You don’t know how lucky you are to have coldness. Later that day we had a random dust storm while we were tracting. Random. It killed my eyes — and not to mention, my companion left the window open in our apartment so we had a nice dust layer over everything, fun days.

I also really love the car horns here, that’s perhaps one of my favorite noises. It’s so nice at 3 am when people drive down our calle (street) honking and yelling. I love it! I also had a few guys wink at me, yes, there’s a ton of gay dudes here.

We tract a lot. We were behind on contacts so I had 38 contacts in twos to catch up and still didn’t make my goal of 70 for the week. While tracting, we knocked on a door and they said, “Hola Elders, come on up.” What the heck, that never happens! It was a tough day too. So we got up to their house and they were members — we laughed pretty good. We thought it was going to be some miracle investigator.

I gave a talk in church and it was way easier in Spanish then in English. I told about myself. Everyone loves to hear that I have four sisters, I can make some good jokes out of that fact. I like to keep people interested when I talk, no one likes a boring, dry talk, no one. SO… keep that in mind. Afterward, I asked if they understood me and the members love you when you try. It’s amazing the support I get from them, the ward is amazing. There´s about 50-60 people in attendance at church on a good Sunday. There are lots of college students there too.

Its about a 20 minute walk to the Church from my apartment, but we walk all day so it’s no biggie. We walk all over Centro, north to south. Once we had appointments on opposite ends of the city, never again I tell you, never! We walk tons, I wish I had a step counter, and black pepper! There is not black pepper here and I love pepper.

One night we were in a dangerous part of the city, smart I know. People usually look out for the welfare of preachers and missionaries, so we skedaddled out of there quickly. It’s pretty scary walking around and knocking on people’s doors at night, and we stay out until 9 or 9:30 pm. Then we go home and plan for the next day.

Every night I’m in bed by 10:30 pm because I value my sleep. Sometimes I stay up a little later to consult with the Lord. Only through Him can I accomplish anything, but we have to ask for help to receive it.

Once we were walking along and a blind guy was cruising towards us fast, my companion tried to get out of his way but was regulated by his cane. I almost wet my pants! It was probably one the funniest things I’ve seen yet!

There´s a street here called Maipu (my poo) and there´s an intersection where Maipu and Cólon meet. Yes, Maipu meets Cólon there, way funny. I’ll send a picture of it.

So those are some of my adventures for this week. I can’t wait to see what’s up for this week.

“This morning I prayed for God to help me purify myself. And the Spirit entered into me and I once again experienced the miracle of forgiveness. And I changed again. This had happened thousands of times in my life, everytime leaving me a little better. I was born again, a new man, through the process of purification.”

My mission president said this quote in Spanish and here is the English translation. Its so amazing, the power this thought has.

I love you all and please continue to pray for me, for I will be praying for you.

Con mucho amor

Elder Glanzer

!Hola!

Week one was an experience! I learned a lot and will continue to learn everyday.

You can write more in your email, because I print it off and read it, then go back and write. Email is probably the best way to communicate because I won’t get letters until meetings, which don’t happen that often. I wrote and sent a letter today just to see how long it takes through the regular mail, so look for it in a week or so. They tell me that packages get to them in a week or so. Also, you can try that to just to see how it works.

Yes, I’m still totally clueless with everything. I don’t understand anything anyone says, but I’m trying. Today is P-day and it ends at 6:00 or 7:00 p.m. Yesterday we had stake conference and I didn’t get anything out of it. And after that around 7:30 p.m., we headed out to find some people and there was some amazing lightning, crazy capo. And do you know what follows lightning? Yep, rain — lots of rain. In minutes I was toast. So all that I could do was laugh. Everything was wet, I had to protect my scriptures and such things, my suit pants were soaked and my tie is dead. But it was so funny, it was a bad day. I was hoping for a car to blast me with a puddle, but nope. We only got into one house and it was way awkward. So we went home.

We also taught some gay guys, that was interesting. Then we saw some policia action going down, about 15 guys in tactical gear were about to raid something. There´s just so much to see. Girls are always blowing kisses at me and I’m 100% sure some grabbed my butt on a bus. Oh, the buses! Pack about 40 Argentines onto a bus then add a few missionaries and you are not in the MTC anymore! No one believes in personal space. At one point, I was surrounded by all girls, yes, this is definitely not the MTC. I have to laugh at all my situations or I’ll go crazy.

Armis (taxis) are another story. There are really no laws for the roads, so you can only imagine. Oh, what fun days.

I got my luggage finally after four days without it. It was better than Christmas! Way better! Clean clothes and everything else.

I’ve done tons of contacts with people, but here it’s tough in Centro because everyone is busy or doesnt live here.

I’m cleaning the apartment (pention as we call it) because I inherited that trait from some one I know… it’s so nasty, especially the bathroom. And the baday… so many adventures. Too bad I can’t go into more detail, it’s just one of those things you need to see first-hand — then cry later that night!

We eat lunch everyday with members, which is amazing. The food here is way good. And there´s tons of shops and places to eat. We had an Asado with a member. Thats when you go over to their house and they cook you meat, which is the best! This story is for you mom, I know you’ll like it. So, out of the thousands of dogs here in Centro, all the mangy nastys sleeping in the sidewalks and just chilling, I saw a nice looking wiener dog chilling on a door step. I was so excited to see a nice dog, I would have pet it but it probably would have eaten me. I couldn’t wait to tell you.

During meetings, it’s so hard to stay focused because I really have no idea what is going on. I try to listen and pick out words, but my mind is so exhausted that I tend to fall asleep. It doesn’t look good if a missionary is dozing, but I try hard to pay attention because that’s how I will learn. I fell asleep during our meeting with the Ward Mission leader. But everynight after walking seven or eight miles, my body is fine, but my mind is gone, that all that I can do is sleep.

This is the hardest thing I’ve done in my life, no doubt. People said it would be hard, and I wasn’t naive coming into this, but it is tough, really tough. But why should it be easy? It wasn’t easy for my Savior, so why should it be for me? I continue to put all my trust in the Lord and pray for strength. I’ve never prayed so much in my life before, that’s the only solace and comfort I can find. I also read the scriptures and your guys’ letters.

I’m here to serve the Lord and these people. Continue to pray for me, por favor. I love you all and hope you enjoy my letters. I hope this week is better.

Con Mucho Amor
Elder Glanzer

¡Hola Familia!

Argentina eh. I don’t have much time, just enough to say that I’m alive and have no idea what anyone is saying to me. Good thing I don’t stand out too much because everyone is white! Well, mostly.

The plane ride was long, but the real fun started when we landed in Buenos Aires. Going through customs was easy and not a problem, but the airport was crazy.  People everywhere speaking some lango I have never heard. And the roads…oh the roads. I’m glad I’m still alive — and I thought Zack Clarkson was a bad driver! There are really no traffic laws here and the cops don’t care. People just cruise anywhere they want and it’ just intense — I love it!  On the other hand, I like my life too. 

We got into Buenos Aires and then stayed at the Temple/ MTC there for two hours. That is a very amazing temple, me encanta. We didn’t end up having to ride a bus to Cordoba after all, we flew. But the thing you need to realize is that much happened from the time we landed in Buenos Aires to the time we landed in Cordoba.

We were left at the airports to meet contacts and such — I felt like Jason Bourne or something like that. So much fun and about 13 other different emotions. We were then met by the Mission President and his wife. All of the elders rode back to the mission home with them, except a few of us.  I road back with the Assistant to the President and we were chatting with the “remise” or taxis driver, and the AP told me to contact him, so I did…and with his help, I got a return cita (appointment)! So, about ten minutes off the plane, I made a contact in broken Spanish.  I wasn’t nervous, but the guy couldn’t really understand me.

Entonces, after that we did all of the things you do in the Mission Home, like meet and hug a bunch of elders, sign some stuff, get a debito card, interview with the Presidente, sit down and listen to experiences — just a bunch of things. After that we ate empanadas. We were then assigned to a trainer. My trainer’s name is Elder Smith from Utah. He is going to be an amazing trainer.

We got put in the heart of downtown Cordoba. I mean central! City! People everywhere!  And it’s intense. We have everything we need here and everything is very close. The internet cafe is under our apartment, which by-the-way, is the nicest apartment in Cordoba. I have my own bathroom, and it’s in a legit building. I’m still humble don’t worry, because I really have no idea what’s going on.

We have a bunch of citas (appointments) today so we are about to head out after I get some things because I won’t get any of my bags until later tonight, not even my carry-on, but it’s all good. I can survive for a night and day without anything.

And I know you want to know about the toilets, the ba-days, yes, they’re not too bad.  :-)  I could get used to it because there is really no toilet paper here unless you like sandpaper. And…. the water in the toilets do flush the other way! Just some fun facts for the day. 

Well, don’t forget to send me letters. I love you all and am grateful for everything you do for me, I hope to understand the sacrifices you’ve made for me someday. !Gracias siempre¡

¿Shall we not go on in such great a cause?

Te amo

Elder Glanzer

Hola Familia!

This week was by far one of the most amazing! So many good things happened. First of all, the long-awaited Flight Plans arrived in our mailbox on Tuesday. It was almost as good as getting the mission call…jk.  To start off, we leave the MTC at 8 am next Monday, October 12. Then our flight leaves at 12 noonish. We fly to Dallas, Texas, and are there for four hours just chillin’ or perhaps preaching a little Gospel, we’ll see what goes down in the airport.  :-)  Then we fly directly to Argentina, Buenos Aires. It’s an 11 hr flight  — so I leave on the 12th and get there on the 13th. Then after that we have an extremely long bus ride to Cordoba. Probably about six hours or so.

The other amazing thing about this week was General Conference and this was the first time I can say that I didn’t sleep through the whole thing. Only once…maybe.  :-)   It’s amazing how I feasted on the Words of God, I got answers to questions I had going into the conference. I know you don’t want to hear all about what I liked, but Elder Holland’s talk was piercing. He is such a powerful man, no doubt. We watched all the sessions.  It was amazing that all the missionaries could fit in the Gym at the MTC.

One thing I would like to share with you is about “not having any empty seats at our family table.” The whole time it seemed there was a talk or a feeling directed towards this. As to you (my parents) I don’t know the hardship of having a daughter fall away, but I know you will and you are leaving the 90 and 9 to go after that one. I hope I can understand what these feelings are like as I go out to give this opportunity to people so they can come to know their Father in Heaven. I know there will be some who do not want it and I will cry to my Father in Heaven on my knees for their sake, asking why, and also to soften their hearts. I don’t want this to happen, but I’m not naive and will not be patronized.

The Fireside that we attended after General Conference was so much fun. We sang the favorite hymns of the missionaries there, and yes, we sang my favorite, Hymn #193, I Stand All Amazed. 

It’s gotten  pretty cold here in Provo and it even snowed a little once last week. I love it and I better soak it in while I can get it because I’m about to leave and have another summer — an incredibly hot one.

Today was also the last time I had to be able to go to the temple. A temple is being built in Cordoba, so hopefully it will be done while I’m still there.

It’s crazy how it seems the the time in the MTC flew by, but on the other hand, it has only been two months. Time is a weird thing in the MTC. Days seem like months and months seem like days. Also, time is judged by the time in-between letters and packages.

Continue to have Faith in Christ and move forward. The road to God brings us through Gethsemane.

Les amo

Elder Glanzer