Hola,

So transfers happened last night and it was intense because either my companion or I was going to leave this area. Either way was fine with me. But either way I wanted a Latino companion, and guess what…you get what you wish for.  :-)  I’m staying in Nueva Cordoba for another transfer with Elder Sorano. He’s from Chile. He’s not here yet so I can’t tell you more about him. So I’ll tell you about him later, should be interesting — now I’m going learn some castillano or die.

Last night, there were two other elders in our pention because they are looking for a new pention for themselves. I was conversing with one of the other elders, an Argentine, and we had a conversation for about two hours in Spanish — and we understood each other! I tell you the Spanish is coming.

I’m so excited for this transfer. My plan is to forget English and eat, drink, and breath castillano. Well, that’s the plan, but “even the best laid plans go a foil,” said Wylie  E. Coyote. That’s my Spanish adventures thus far in my life, more will come, dame lo tiempo.

We had another three days in the pention — oh boy was it fun (sarcastic voice). My companion was constipated and had to take a suppository and milk of magnesium, so after that we were stuck in the pention forever. I ran out of things to read so I started the LDM (Book of Mormon) in Spanish. It’s slow going but doable.

Elder Smith and I bonded greatly over the course of three months, probably because we were stuck in a room with no one but each other to talk to.  :-)  But seriously, he was a good trainer and he set the tone for the rest of my mission. I’m grateful that the Lord put me with someone who helped me grow and learn. I know with a certainty that He puts those in our path to help us grow, it may be a trial but we still grow. This thing I have come to realize more and more in my life — He will always help us, by giving us those people in our lives. How great does He know and help me?! I still stand all amazed at all the ayuda he gives me, the guidance.

My new companion just got here so I’ll be right back…

As I was typing, my companion got here so I had to run out and help him. He’s going to be legit, I can tell. He even knows a little English!  He’s going to “trabajar a fool” with me! I’m excited, but we are still in P-day, so tomorrow we’ll see.

I’m going to have to teach him the area, our area is huge so it will take a week, but it’s easy to learn an area. We’ll also pass by all of our investigators and other people. On Sunday he’ll be swarmed by the members.

The Mission Presidente called us last week and told us that we have to find a new pention, so Elder Sorano and I will be doing that…maybe, it was more of a “you should start looking for a new apratmento”. This next week is going to be interesting. My last week was low so this is going to be good. Usually Chilenos have a bad name, but there are some amazing ones and I believe Elder Sorano is a good one. Elder Smith called me and said that he works hard — hard and effective.

I’ve read the Conference Ensign about three times now, it’s so amazing to have the words of living Prophets today. What a blessing to have their guidance. This is the first time in my life I’ve ever found the General Conference Ensign interesting — let alone read it three times!

What the heck was I doing before?! All the time I was wasting doing nothing — watching TV, Facebook, and other such things that were not helping me to progress. I see now when people say the mission changes you, for it is happening to me. Man, I wasted a lot of time! But not anymore. Even my studies are getting better and more spiritual. I can feel myself drawing closer to the Spirit. This is what I want so much right now, to have the Spirit with me always and be worthy of His companionship. I can’t do this without him, es verdad.

In the last Conference, President Uchtdorf said this: “Work is the antidote for anxiety, an ointment for sorrow, and a doorway to possibility.” Well I’m stepping through that door.

I love your guts, les amo.

Con Mucho amor,

Elder Glanzer

Chao