Amazing Skies

This week we found out about our transfers.  I will not be transferring.  I am staying in the same area for a while and will keep the same companion.   This week we have been busy.  However, the rain does slow us down sometimes.  You have not seen rain until you come to Africa during the rainy season.  When it rain here…..it pours!!  We got caught in the rain and we were totally soaked.   Speaking of rain reminds me of the thunder.  Wow! The thunder is so loud.  During the thunder storm we were running to make it back to our flat.  By the time we made it back to our flat and came inside the thunder was so loud it literally shook the windows! I thought the windows were going to break.

I also wanted to tell you about the amazing sky here in Africa.  The sunsets are so AMAZING!  Every night I have seen a different colored sunset; purple, yellow, blue, and even a black sunset.  In addition, the night skies are amazing. The stars are so bright, the moon looks bigger here, and sometimes you can see even see the planets. 

I am doing well and I have lost about 45 pounds.  That is crazy (huh).  I am eating well but the food here is much more health than in America and it is very basic.  We usually eat breakfast and dinner.  We have to make our money stretch and usually we don’t eat lunch.  We walk or ride our bikes for about 10 or miles a day.  However, I do splurge on Mondays and usually buy some pizza.

I have a lot of pictures.  I just sent them off to you today.  So, when you get them you can post some of them or share them with family and friends.

I am excited for Christmas.  I am excited that I will be able to talk with my family.  I hope that everyone is doing well and everyone has a Merry Christmas!

Devin

12/5/2011

I got the letters from Rachel, Bronte, Grandma Herron, and Kathy.  I hope that they are doing well.  Rachel reports she is going to Utah State and that dad demands that she make him cookies (ha ha).  Cookies sound GOOD! I couldn’t even make cookies here if I wanted too you wouldn’t be able to buy the ingredients for them.  The letter from grandma Herron was nice.  I will make sure to send her a card for her birthday on the 19th.   I am also planning on sending a card to Grandpa Jasper on his birthday. Have you talked to Russell?  Tell Russell hello and to write to me!! I wrote everyone letters last week.  Everyone should be getting their letters next week.

This week we had some dinner appointments and that was nice not to have to cook for once.  Our allotment comes later and later every week now which makes it hard to buy food.  Anyways, the week has been good. However, it’s been extremely hot this past week but it is raining today (yeah).  The rain is good and it feels like it is a bit cooler today!!  We just started our second transfer today. We have new missionaries coming in on Tuesday. So, we will see what happens and what transfers are going to be like. I will find out if I will be staying in this area or going to a new area. However, I’m pretty sure i will be staying in this area for a while. We are planning our Christmas party on the 24th.   As missionaries we have a lot of responsibilities in our branch.  We are helping to get things planned and all that sort of stuff to ensure that everyone can come and enjoy themselves at the party.

The handbags for my mom turn out great! I can’t wait to give them to her.  I think that she will really like them.

Well, that is all for now. Take care, Love Devin

12/12/2011 Email from Elder Santana

How are you doing the mom of my companion? Well, I just thought of writing to you and pass my greetings to you.  My name is Elder Santana, and I am your son’s companion.  I enjoy working with him.  He is a great missionary.  From him I am learning tons of things that are also helping me a lot in my life. I am so thankful to you for the great job you did to help him so that he could help me. I love the gospel and the work that I am doing with Elder Jasper here in Zambia. I know that families are important.  I also know that Jesus Christ is the son of God, I love Him, and I know he died for our sins.  While on my mission I have learned some powerful stories.  I have one story that I want to share with you.  I know when you read the story you will learn something.

 "There was a man who was rich.  He wanted someone who could build a house for him. Fortunately, he found a person who could build it. So, the rich man gave the builder the money. He gave him enough money so that he could buy the best construction materials that were durable.  However, after the builder was given money to buy strong building material, he went and bought the cheapest material.  He constructed a house with cheap material and he kept the extra money.  After he finished the task he went to the rich man and gave him the keys for the house.  You know what the interesting part is…. the rich man gave the keys of the house back to the builder and told him that the house he was building was a present for him. "  Do you think that is fair?  So, from that story I have learned that God is the rich man and we his children are the builders.  I know God is going to give all of us the keys of the houses we are building through our deed, actions and thoughts.  So, if we don’t build our houses with strong material, such as the gospel of Jesus Christ I know at that we won’t be happy.  I hope you have enjoyed this small story of mine 

12/12/2011

I got the letters from Rachel, Bronte, Grandma Herron, and Kathy.  I hope that they are doing well.  Rachel reports she is going to Utah State and that dad demands that she make him cookies (ha ha).  Cookies sound GOOD! I couldn’t even make cookies here if I wanted too you wouldn’t be able to buy the ingredients for them.  The letter from grandma Herron was nice.  I will make sure to send her a card for her birthday on the 19^th.   I am also planning on sending a card to Grandpa Jasper on his birthday. Have you talked to Russell?  Tell Russell hello and to write to me!! I wrote everyone letters last week.  Everyone should be getting their letters next week.

This week we had some dinner appointments and that was nice not to have to cook for once.  Our allotment comes later and later every week now which makes it hard to buy food.  Anyways, the week has been good. However, it’s been extremely hot this past week but it is raining today (yeah).  The rain is good and it feels like it is a bit cooler today!!  We just started our second transfer today. We have new missionaries coming in on Tuesday. So, we will see what happens and what transfers are going to be like. I will find out if I will be staying in this area or going to a new area. However, I’m pretty sure i will be staying in this area for a while. We are planning our Christmas party on the 24^th.   As missionaries we have a lot of responsibilities in our branch.  We are helping to get things planned and all that sort of stuff to ensure that everyone can come and enjoy themselves at the party.

The handbags for my mom turn out great! I can’t wait to give them to her.  I think that she will really like them.

Well, that is all for now. Take care, 
Devin