1-30-2013

Hey guys,

Time here is flying by.  This week has to be one of the fastest of my
life!  Its crazy to think that I only have three more weeks here.  At
this point I feel like Im ready language wise, but I need to be better
at teaching.  My language going great!  I can easily hold my own in a
conversation.  Especially if it is about the gospel.  Speaking of
teaching,  I have my first baptism tomarrow!! Well kind of. While in
the MTC we have fake investigators that we teach every day.  One of
mine is getting baptized tomorrow.  I guess thats kind of Cool.  It is
kind of funny when that is basically the most exciting thing of my
week.  Other than that, I finished the Book of Mormon yesterday.  It
took me 38 days.  Its kind of funny reading it on a mission, because
every scripture has to do with missionary work.  In the last 2 days I
have read 42 chapters so I could utilize Moronis promise in the temple
today... Yup its still true haha.  I got 7 dearelders on monday it was
awesome!! I got more than the rest of my district combined.  It is soo
good to hear from everyone :)  Thanks for sending Austins letter, im
glad hes doing great.  It seems like he left right before me, but I
guess its been like 8 months.  One of the dearelders took 2 weeks to
get here.  I guess thats just how it will be now.  I was spoiled in
provo.  If you could send me Austins, Kelsies, and Ryans Adresses
through dearelder that would be great! I want to write them but I dont
have their addresses.  I also wrote nathan and abbie last wednesday,
so well see how long those take.  Something else that Id love whenever
yous send another package is a family photo.  I love all the ones I
have, but I dont have any with the 6 of us.  The Latinos love to look
at pictures of our families.  This week we also got a bunch of new
Nortes ( United statesians). Four of them came from the MTC in Provo
and joined our district which made it so it had to split.  We lost two
of the four of us that were in the other MTC together.  It was a
little sad, but now it is a lot easier to speak more spanish.  Before
we had like 12 people that were together that could speak english
better now we only have 8.  Something else that has helped my spanish
was Sunday when we had a latino companion for the day.  It was pretty
cool.  My spanish had never been better.  I was able to speak pretty
close to full speed. I cant wait until I am fluent and can do it
without thinking.  As it is right now sometimes I catch myself writing
in my journal in Spanish.  Anyways things here are going well.  It
sounds like things at home are great.  I love and miss you all!!

1.23.2013

What's up???

Whats up guys, Things here are still awesome!!  

We just got a new group of Nortes.  

I'm pretty sure from here of all of the new Americans are coming straight here.  There are two new Elders and 4 new Hermanas.  

I ate one of the weirdest things of my life this week.  It was basically chicken meat loaf and it tasted like cardboard. Definitely not my favorite meal yet.  For the most part the food here is good though, besides the fact that it is rude to not eat every bite.  

My new companion is cool.  His name is Elder Christopherson.  I don't remember if i put that in my last email or not.  I get along with him a lot better than my last companion.  

I got both Mom and Dad's dear elders on Saturday.  I guess dear elder might not be the best way to go just because it took so long.  It was really nice to get mail though. Someone in my district got a handwritten letter yesterday which was post marked for eight days earlier.  

In other news, we got a new group of Latinos here last week.  They are just now starting to warm up and get
used to the mission life.  I haven't found any that I think i'll be great friends with yet but all the natives i've met have been super nice.

Things here are super cheap.  In the last day, i've bought four ties for two american dollars each.  Just about everywhere you go takes American dollars as well as Quetzales.  The exchange rate is about 7 Quetzales to
the dollar.  

In the way of the language... Its coming.  Its not coming as fast as I was expecting here.  My entire district is from the US so it is pretty easy to get away with talking completely in English.  But it is kind of nice to get a taste of the accents.  

I have decided that I can understand every thing depending on who is talking.  Some people I talk to talk as clear as sunshine while others I cant understand a single word.  I know that it will come with a little more time.  

We went to temple already this morning. When we go, there is enough Nortes for an English session.  The temple here is tiny.  It only has 4 endowment rooms that hold about 30 each.

Elder Christofferson (the apostle) came this week.  And it was awesome! He shook everyones hands in the entire MTC.  Me and my district were the special musical number.  We sang because I Have Been Given Much half in
Spanish and half in English.  The Latinos loved it!! 

Ever since they have been trying to get me to sing in the Halls. Just about all the natives here are tone deaf so i basically sound like Justin Bieber (which they have called me a few times)  All in all i'm loving the mission so far! 

Hope all is well! Keep me updated with the sports.  I don't even have any idea who is in the super bowl!

1.15.2013

What's up!!

So I've been here in Guatemala for almost a week now.  I love it here!!

The people are amazing!  The first group we met when we first got here just left today.  The way they do it here is the every two weeks we get a new set of native missionaries.  

There are thirteen of us in our district and we are all Americans. The food here is really good.  It is better than anything we got in Provo. It is basically Mexican food without any spice.  Every meal has a different juice with it, anything from horchata to fruits that i have never heard of!  

My companion is from Utah and he is one of those that has a girl friend waiting.  They were dating for only two months and he writes her every night and talks about how he wants to marry here. I'm pretty sure the Lord is testing and humbling me with my companions.

Elder Christofferson is coming on Thursday and I'm singing at it. It should be pretty cool considering that there are only like 100 people in the entire MTC.  The Latinos that were here were awesome.  We've only known them for a week and they were basically our best friends.  It was really sad to see them go.  We traded ties before they left and I realized that they all love purple. It's kind of funny.  

My pictures have also come in very handy. They love to look at pictures of our families.  Its kind of funny when
we are going through my album and I get to the one from Homecoming. Every time without fail they ask if she is my novia (girfriend).  It makes me laugh every time.

I'm not gonna be able to get many pictures here, so sorry mom.  They took our cameras and locked them up because I guess people kept getting theirs stolen.  Today is my P-day and it has been pretty awesome. 

First, we left the MTC and went to a really nice chapel and played basketball and football, then we went to a mall and ate some fast food. Guatemala City is actually a lot nicer than I originally thought.  After I finish this email, we get to go to the temple.  I'm excited to go in a foreign country.

In other news, mail won't be as hard to get as I originally thought. Church sunday was also awesome.  I could understand just about everything that was going on.  The best way to get a hold of me is still by dear elder, but just make sure that you click the Guatemalan MTC for the mission, and as for packages I guess as long as you put Elder Eric Michael Bashaw for my name they probably wont even open it in customs.

They said to make sure that you DON'T put pictures of Jesus or Mary or anything because then they get suspicious and will go through it.  All mail should take about two weeks to get there.

My address is:

Elder Eric Michael Bashaw
Boulevard Vista Hermosa 23-71
Vista Hermosa I, Zona 15
Guatemala City 01015, Guatemala

I'm just about out of time. I'm sorry for no spaces in the paragraphs and no apostrophes  The computers her in the MTC can't do them.  

P.S. Tell everyone to write me! I haven't gotten any mail since I've been here. Oh ya I love and miss you all!!

1.2.2013

Whats up all!!!

So this weeks been great! I've learned and grown so much.  

I don't think I've ever felt the spirit as much as I did on Monday. Our teacher was amazing!  We had to teach a lesson to him as he pretended to be deaf and mute.  It was so awesome and as long as you relied on the spirit.  

After we taught we had a mini testimony meeting and it was awesome! I'm pretty sure I've said this before, but we have the best district in the MTC.  

To answer some of your questions: Dad I'm in the beginner Spanish class.  I am probably the second best in my district in Spanish.  

The only person that is probably better than me is moving into a higher class starting tonight. He is from France and he took five years high school Spanish. My companion does not try very hard to learn the language, and it is kind of frustrating.  He almost never understands what is being said in class.   

I've seen Stetson five or six times, but i almost never have time to talk to him.  I've seen one or two people I recognize, but don't know all that well.  

My district has ten elders and no sisters which is quite unusual.  Most districts have at least a companionship of sisters. Four of us are going to Guatemala, four are going to Chile Santiago west, one to Honduras, and one to France.  The one that is going to France is speaking both Spanish and French.   

There are four people to a room and I have a top bunk.  

As far as my teachers go, I've had like six or seven different ones because of the holidays.  Now that those are all over things will be a little more consistent.   

I got all my travel information for Guatemala.  I'm set to leave on the 8th, but I won't find out till three or four days before if I'm actually gonna go or not.  So if you have any packages for me, it better get here in the next week or else I probably won't get it.  

A few things that would be nice to have are another Long sleeve white shirt, some more snacks (that are not candy), and some more pictures (especially of friends).  

The craziest thing to happen this week is the plague!  Everyone was getting sick starting yesterday!  My district only had like three people left that aren't sick.  We are pretty sure that it is just food poisoning but were not sure.  As of right now I'm perfectly fine so cross your fingers.  

I heard Parker had his farewell on Sunday.  I know he did great.  I still might be able to see him, but we'll see.  I've only been here for two weeks and the monotony is getting old.  Going to Guatemala would be a good change of pace.  Also if I go to Guatemala I will pick up the language much quicker, and I will be able to go to the temple there in Guatemala which would be awesome.  I have not been able to go to the temple since Ive been here because Provo has been getting cleaned.  

Anyways my time is almost up.  Say hello to everyone for me.  I love and miss you all 

Elder Bashaw :)

12.26.2012

Whats Up!

So I'm assuming that you didn't get my letter that i sent on the second day... So I'll tell all the basics again. 

My companion's name is Elder Margaritis.  He is from Mesa and knows a lot of the people I do from school.  

My P day is today, so i get to email you two days in a row! The food is exactly like the canon center.  It is decent but it will get old because everything is kind of the same..  

The third day here we met with our branch president and he told us that there may not be enough room in the Guatemala MTC so we might have to stay here the entire nine weeks.  We won't know for sure until it gets a litter closer.  It'll be a bummer but it it'll all work out.  

In terms of things you could send me,  I need some tweezers, all snacks are always welcome, and I would love it if you could get me a bunch of my friends addresses so I can write them first.  haha. 

Not much has happened in the last day.  Last night we had a talent show then Greg Olsen, the painter, talked to us.  Then last night we watched its a wonderful life.  

The best way for anyone to get a hold of me is through dear elder.  I only get 30 minutes to be on the computer all together so I would like to use that time to write.  It would probably even be better for you guys to write using it, because I can get those almost everyday.  

If dad or Nathan or someone would get on my face book that would be great.  I want my letters to be posted on facebook, so I might be able to get more mail.  

You guys could also post my pictures and stuff.  I'm gonna try and figure out how to attach pictures but there's no promises.  

Alright my times up and I couldn't figure out the pictures.  

I'm glad you guys had a good Christmas.  I read both Mom's and Abbie's emails but i haven't heard from Nathan..  

Maybe next week i will be able to figure out the pictures. 

Hasta Luego

Elder Bashaw

12.25.2012

Que Tal!!!

So today is Christmas!! Its been awesome! 

I opened the packages from you guys and G+G Bashaw.  My favorite thing was the picture book! Its so nice to be able to reminisce about old times. I also now have candy and snacks for days.  Candy is in abundance here so I'm glad you gave me some other snacks to eat.  

My P day is normally tomorrow, but were all allowed to send one today.  Today has been really fun but also really hard.  At every point throughout the day I have been thinking about what I would be doing if I was home.  I've either had something in my eye or I've had some tears welling up.  

I hope everyone is having a fantastic day!  Things have been pretty awesome in here.  Last night we set up a Christmas tree that was awesome.  I'll try to send some pictures in my email tomorrow.  

This morning our entire zone opened our presents together in the hall around our tree.  After breakfast we had our devotional.  Elder Nelson came and spoke.  It is so awesome how great of a spirit you can feel when he even just walks into the room.  

At the devotional I sang in the choir.  It was pretty awesome.  I thought dad would think that was funny.  

On another note, things in the MTC are going pretty good.  We have a great district and we all get along splendidly.  The language is coming faster than I could imagine.  I can understand almost everything and its only been a week.  The hard part is speaking. 

There is a few things that in need.  If you could send my priesthood line of authority that would be great!  

Also it would be nice if you could get people to write me that would be great.  I've only gotten letters from Parker and Alexis.  A bunch more may be on there way, but they haven't delivered any dear elders since Saturday, so i may be getting a bunch on Thursday.  

Anyways I love you all and hope you didn't get too sick eating all of the ebelskievers... I don't know how to spell it.. 

Tell grandma and grandpa thanks for the package.  It was really nice to have stuff to open.  Ill send another email tomorrow

Feliz Navidad