Reply to Mom's Email: Monday, October 3, 2022

From: Christian.garcia@missionary.org
Date: Monday, October 3, 2022
**Reply to Mom's Email**

So we do get to watch Conference. They do a broadcast at the church buildings and this time was really special for Tabligbo because it's the first time that they have actually had the opportunity to listen to it live. It's really cool and really special for these people and their faith is just awesome. 

My area is really really village haha. Like really village. I'll have to get more pictures but we're pretty busy too so that's a little hard to stop and do that haha. Normally it doesn't rain much here from what I'm told but this past week that's all there was everyday. Rain. I think it might just be tropical storms from the hurricane or something, but I also don't know haha. My companion is Elder Ibanda and he's pretty cool. He started his mission back in November but because he didn't want to get the covid vaccine he stayed in Congo (where he's from) for a few months and got to this mission earlier this year. He was baptised when he was 9 and isn't much older than me so he knows the Church pretty well which makes it easy to teach in lessons because he helps to answer questions that I have no idea how to answer because of culture. We have been trying to go and just serve people. Because of that there have been lots of contacts but so far not many lessons, so that's why we've been busy. We just find people. Hopefully this week the lessons will go through well so that we can do both at the same time. People here can be stubborn though, so we'll see. My area Tabligbo (tab-lee-bo) is still pretty young in the church even for Togo. Like 3 years young so there's still like nobody who knows about this gospel so it's like giving candy to a little kid. Everyone is so happy and super prepared to listen, it's super cool. We have bikes up here too but 2 of then don't work apparently, so I kinda want to look at then so see if its something simple that can be fixed especially because the bike that I use is an XL and I'm smaller than that so it's kinda funny to watch me haha. But I'm really excited to be here, I feel really good about the change. 

I'm not a DL anymore either and that's actually really nice. I feel like I can focus more on the amis here and everything else that's going on. But Elder Mahan is the DL here and he's pretty chill. He's from la Côte d'Ivoire and his way of speaking French tests my knowledge because he almost mumbles it. Its different for me because I've worked with only 1 guy from Côte d'Ivoire but mainly Congolaise. One night we were talking about working out and I said that I didn't and haven't ever really lifted weights but I like running and he said that we can go running in the mornings. I thought he was joking so I kinda just left it the next day, but he asked me about it and so we actually went running! It felt really good, I was a lot slower than before but that makes sense. Also my legs still hurt haha, even stretching hasn't helped much. Bit hopefully that'll change. I'm also with Elder Mulamingu again and he's still a jokster and always fun. I like this apartment, especially because it's all French. No English unless someone asks me a question for their study of the language (which isn't very often). 

She isn't going to like high school then haha. I actually prefer the 90 minute classes. I feel like I learn more and better because the teachers aren't just throwing up information to try and get everything taught before the tests and the end of the year kinda thing. That's funny that they went out and were able to do that, I bet they ahd a blast doing that. And I already know B loved being out in the golf kart after dark haha. 

It's weird to me that it's that time for Kaitlyn to go and leave and move out. She's been home for only a couple of months but she already leaving... crazy. Cool hut crazy how fast that was. Makes me wonder how fast it will be for me haha. 

Yard work and making the house look good is always worth it. I feel like you feel like you don't want to every year but then you decide to change your mind and do it anyways. But like you said time will tell. 

Jackson Hole is fun, I don't really remember the drive there but it sounds fun. Thought I'm not sure what you're going to so for one day haha. And not even a full one at that. And yeah, cold isn't great. I like it but on a bike that just sounds horrible. Lots of cold wind. I imagine it'll feel like Deer Creek when the water is freezing and there's not much sun, needles in your face. 

I have enjoyed this area this week and I am so looking forward to the time that is left in this transfer and how ever much time I have left here. And regarding the photo, so that's just a calendar that I got from her, and that's one of a few photos of her in it. I use it mainly to write down dates of things just in case I forget to write them in my journal. I'm not actually focusing on anything regarding her or girls right now. I know how small of a time I have left. I mean I feel like I hit that year mark just yesterday but that's definitely not the case. Most days I pray that stuff will slow down actually, I don't want this to end. There is way too much that I feel like I have to do that I need to do, but I don't always feel like I have the time to do it. Even giving my all everyday and then getting back and trying to stay awake to call people and make sure things go through. I've never thought it would be hard to stay up until 10:30 but it's a real struggle. 

Thanks for your email this week mom. I actually thought today was Friday until I got your email so that's fun haha. I love you guys and I hope you've had a great time watching Conference!!

Love y'all, 

Elder Garcia