Well Hello Family hows it going. Sorry that I havent sent any of you personal letters. I have written them, and now I just have to send them to you guys. Now it will just take like 5 weeks to get them to the U.S. Haha, but i guess it really does take 5 weeks for a letter to get there.

That is soooo sweet about Josh´s Mission call. Someone tell him congratulations. There was about 4 other elders that came in the MTC after the time I did that are going to that mission. You guys know Aaron Johnson. He is the son of the Johnson guy that owns the Riot Zone. He is in that mission that Josh is going to. Cool cool

But anyways in this weeks email i just want to talk about Paraguay, or atleast my area Tres Bocas.

First off, the sports here probably arent what you thought they were. I would say probably 66% of the people here play volleyball. There is volleyball nets everywhere. And alot of these people play where you cant use your hands. They are amazing here. And then there is probably 33% that play soccer. I was thinking everyone would play soccer not volleyball. And hahaha there is probably 1% of the people that play cricket. But anyways people are always playing these sports haha, here people eat sleep work and play volleyball.

The money system here is called Guaranis. 5 mil, or 5000 guaranis is equal to $1. So ya, if you were wondering. It cost like 15 mil for a box of cereal, and 2.3 mil for a bus ride. Just togive you some examples of things and what they cost. It also costs 9 mil to send a letter. Etc. Etc.

I love the people here, they are so awesome. I love the kids especially. Here everyone gives the thumbs up sign instead of waving. And it is also kind of funny because almost everyone here speaks Guarani and Español. So I am trying to learn spanish and there is always random Guarani words thrown in, and this makes it that much harder to learn. I know a few guarani, but probably only like five or so. Man the spanish here is so difficult to understand. I am really really really struggling to understand the people when they talk, and I hate it. But i know i just need to have patience. This last weekend I was able to watch the priesthood and sunday afternoon sessions in english, but the other three we watched in spanish and i didnt understand any of it. I actually just read my BOM and wrote letters during those ones.

This last week I went on divisions and the second day I was soooo sick. Puking all day, i dont know what I ate, but I am alot better now. I am slowly but surely adapting to the food and to the culture and the smell here.

It is funny how the school system works here. They all wear uniforms, and the times of school are like from noon to five, and for others it is like from five to 11 at night. It is weird, but we have trouble finding people at home because they are always working, and they are always at school. O well. Haha, and when the people are at their home, they have some sweet exscuses here. Usually it is just sorry I am Catholic, but also they say o sorry this guy cant talk with you because he is resting, or he is taking a break. Anything they can say so they dont have to talk to the missionaries. The people here will usually talk to us but there are some that avoid us.

Anyways, some of the roads here are paved, but most roads here are just rocks about the size of the Book of mormon, with sand inbetween the cracks. It is like hiking all day long. It is fine, but i doubt my shoes will last very long on these roads. These roads just tear up the tires on cars so imagine what they do to shoes haha. Here in paraguay there are animals everywhere there are tons of stray dogs, cats, chickens, horses, cows, and even some goats. They just dont have animal control here so there are alot of animals.

Some people here know a little english so it is nice to talk a little with them. But for the most part they dont know english and i dont know spanish so it is kind of hard to communicate, but it will get better.

I guess the government here is a little corrupt, so there are police officers and all types of security gaurds everywhere with shotguns and rifles. It is a little intimidating but all is good. This year is actually the 200th year of freedom for paraguay so it is a big year, and I have an oppurtunity to be here for it. Just the fact of paraguay of the week haha.

But anyways that is my email for the week. I am sending out letters this week so i hope to hear from youall soon. Or like ten weeks. haha.

I get to go shopping today, i finally have money, and i dont have ANY food at home.

well love ya guys and hope to here from you again next week

Con Amor

Elder Stewart