I was just thinking about it this morning. I've officially been in Paraguay 11 months. Time flies by. I still feel like I just got here, and now my year mark's just around the corner...... I feel old...... I don't like feeling old........ I remember looking at all the return missionaries and saying wow those guys are so fetchin old........... and now I'm almost one of them.......... ouch! But that's ok.

So the splits with the DL were great. I learned a little better my responsibilities. I think my big freak out was just because I don't know the area, I don't know many people and we started with next to no investigators. But little by little as I get to know the area I am becoming more comfortable, so I think everything will turn out great. Yeah the mantle of Senior Companion, it's settling. I thought the settling of mantles was super easy like just a piece of clothing. Little did I know that it was a solid chunk of iron that you need to warm up and then force to settle on your shoulders. But I guess when it settles it will make a nice piece of armor. A nice protective cushion. But now I'm scared...... 24 new missionaries are coming next month....... and 19 the month after. I'm afraid President is gonna make me a trainer....... so not ready for that. It's like "alright Elder Brown it looks like that lump of iron is starting to mold around your shoulders, let's throw a hunk of pure steel and a big old anvil on there and see if we can't fuse iron and steel. And if it doesn't start fusing quick enough we will just throw you in the oven to heat things up a little more!" haha no just kidding. but yeah I like the analogy.

They have a milk mixed with sugar concoction here that's called mate dulce. It's super good. They normally put it in something called a guampa filled with coconut shavings, stick a straw thing called a bombilla in it (it doesn't let the coconut go up the straw) and poor hot mate dulce in it. It's awesome.

I miss ya tons. I love ya like none other and think about you often. I hope everything goes well there. I love hearing from ya and I look forward to next week.

Love
Elder Brown

Questions of the week:
1. What kind of things are you drawing on p-day? What have you learned about drawing?
Qualquier cosa. My companion is teaching me little by little how to draw people, so that's what I'm working on.

2. How's the teaching pool?
Alright, we are getting there, we found one investigator who was a reference of the bishop. he will get baptized im sure of it.

3. Have you experience any unique Paraguayan Holidays?
Well the 15th of this month was independence day. there was a parade. but yeah thats about as unique as it gets.