Presidential Election in Argentina

Wow--Crazy week. Yesterday was the presidential election in Argentina and the people were just going crazy last night. Here, everybody has to vote and elections are a HUGE deal. Apparently they found out who won last night and so everybody got in their cars and honked their horns all night long. Great tradition! Also there was basically a drum line on the main street of Malargue (Ma-Larg-Way) and because we live right off that same street, thankfully we heard all of the celebration. I was so tired last night that even with all the noise, I was able to fall asleep within 5 minutes. I believe it is a gift to be able to sleep through noise. We had the best preparation day possible. A family that is about to get baptized, and who really like the missionaries, decided to take us to the most beautiful place in all of Malargue. I'll send pictures later but look up "Las Leñas" if you have the chance. It was awesome! While there, I made a small snowman in the mountains. More good news! We found a family that looked moderately interested in hearing the gospel. We started knocking on the doors (If they have a fence you just clap really loud as many times as you want. I can now clap fairly loud) and we taught this lady a short lesson at her door. She said we could come back! So excited! More good news! I'm starting to understand and talk more with people. One time I was listening to this guy and from what I could understood, he was telling us that he drank so much soda that his feet started to swell like pumpkins and he had to drink water to get all the sugar out. After that conversation with this guy, I was thinking I needed to practice my Spanish more because my translation of what he was saying was ridiculous. As it turned out, my translation was correct! That is exactly what he was saying!. The Doctor actually told him he needed to drink water to get the sugar out of his feet. All is well here and its great to hear from you! Talk to you later!

Elder Myers

PS- Here's another note for Kami. I heard all the big cooks here (Like the Martha Stewart’s of Argentina) just put a ton of alcohol in everything. You have to be careful with the ice cream (helado) here because a lot of it has alcohol. I do have another favorite food here---Pastel de papa. It's one of the best foods in Argentina. ¡Es muy rica!

COLECTIVOS, SEQUIAS and barking that never ceases...

(Colectivos)
(Sequias)

Hey Family!
I´m glad to hear from everybody! I liked the pictures and letters muchisimo (very much). The language is coming along a little better. I am trying to talk more in the lessons. At least the people we teach seem to understand what I´m trying to say.
We had a lot more lessons this week, mainly with less active members and quiet a few of them came back to church this week. Oh, I gave a talk in church this week about prophets and why it’s important to follow their words. I guess it was alright. I´ll keep it to see how bad it actually was after my mission. hahaha. It was really windy this week. I had to walk sideways at what seemed to be a 45 degree angle just to stand up. There are about 3 dogs of every kind to every person. The barking never ceases. I think a dog tried to bite me a few days ago but it missed (kinda funny). The dog was pretty little so I´m not sure it would have hurt that much anyway. One thing that's pretty interesting here are the buses, called colectivos. They are two-story buses that are more like miniature planes. We took one this morning for our Preparation Day to the city San Rafael. Because we are so far away from everybody, we are allowed to take trips outside of our area twice a month. San Rafael is pretty awesome. A Cyber (pronounced see-bear in a Spanish accent) is where we go every week to e-mail. They have a lot better computers there. I was going to send pictures today but... we woke up 10 minutes before our colectivo was to leave and in all the rush, I forgot them.

Because we live so close to the mountains, they have some ditch like things called sequias, which are usually about 3 feet deep and a foot or two wide. These sequias channel the water all over the city. Here we are challenged to talk to 10 people a day. One day while we were at the sequia, I noticed one family walk from the road to the sidewalk. It seemed they were trying to avoid us. I needed to talk to one more person to fill my quota for the day and it was nearing the time to go back to the apartment (pension or in missionary terms Pench). So, I decided to pick up my pace a bit, jump across the sequia (say-key-a) and say hello to the family on the sidewalk. I´m not sure they were so happy to see me but I was just overjoyed! Yep, things are always getting better here and I think I´m almost getting used to things.With my Spanish improving, I even think the members are starting to like me a little better.
Love ya!
Elder Travis Myers

PS- Note to Kami. Look up the recipe for Dulce de Leche. Put it on anything!!! Awesome!!

Mom and Dad,
I´m glad to hear it´s raining again! Mama, I loved the story you told about going to church in the Rain. I love you both and have been thinking about "yall" pretty often. Don't worry--. not to the point of home sickness. I try to work harder when I think about home, so don´t worry about me.
Your son Elder Travis Myers

Keep praying for me!

(Food Travis talked about in this letter...Noquis)

Hey Everyone!
Okay so this was more or less crazy. We're having a ton of luck with people in the streets and everyone seems to want to hear the gospel. However, when we go to their house we either find out the address does not even exist or they are not there. We haven't been in a single new investigators house. We then always end up giving practice lessons at a members house. I guess we're just not having much luck. Next week I think we are going to actually visit someone new, but just in case, pray people will be there. I still can hardly understand anyone and some of the members of the branch don't like me as much because I can't understand anything they are saying to me. Oh well. I made a study plan so I'm not really worried about it. Donny will be happy to know I made my first cardboard, Ensign picture scripture case. I need to buy some more tape, but I must say it looks pretty sweet. Also, I got sick at the first part of the week, and then the day after I started feeling better we had a hailstorm. It was kind of funny. We were buying milk for a member, dont ask, and as we were walking back it just started hailing like crazy. I'd say fruit-loop sized hail. No rain. It covered the ground in a matter of five minutes. It looked like it had snowed! Also, I got to go on exchanges with the other new missionary who has the same amout of time out as I do. Surprisingly, we didn't do too bad and we made it through the day. As for the ward, there are about 40 people attending church and about 600 members. That's something we plan on working on. The food is pretty good. We mostly make it ourselves, but the members feed us pretty often. I've had things called ñoquis which were awesome (Kami might want to look them up) and beef filled green baby pumpkins with potatoes...that was interesting. The people are great, the kids shout "Heelo! Wha chour name?" - and things like that. Yes, I have been called a giraffe. Some kid took our name tags for about five minutes. Dogs are everywhere and only one of them looked like it would have bite us so that's all good. Well, I can't write everything down here. I've already seen miracles happen here, but I dont really have time to write them all. I'm keeping up with my journal so don't worry.
Love all of you!
Elder Myers

PS We don't get to wash clothes much, but I'm suppose to wash them today... Love ya mom and dad!

He's serving in his first area! Malargüe, Argentina!

(Look how close he is to CHILE!)


(Dirt road in Malargüe - on Wikipedia it says that the city is known for its traditional dish, the chivito (baby goat), so I thought this picture was appropriate!)

Padres! (parents)

It’s great to hear from you. And, it is really difficult to type on a Spanish keyboard, but all is well. Please don’t give me any more wonderful food descriptions. (like the dinners you had with family last weekend) I can’t take it.!

The airports in Argentina were fun. Before leaving the MTC, I finally got to the point where I could understand the language pretty well and then when I arrived in Argentina, I found out that the myth was true! The language we learned at the MTC is NOT the same language the people speak in Argentina! People talk so fast and so slurred. It’s unbelievable! That was kind of a shock to me.

We finally got to Mendoza, spent the night in a little house lined with razor wire, and we all had a blast! We woke up the next morning, had a little bit of breakfast, got some training, had lunch, met our new companions, and then had some more training. There is apparently a new pilot program in the mission field where we (the new missionaries) take the lead in the lessons. WE invite people to baptism in the first lesson and WE also start the Restoration lesson.

On to my companion. His name is Elder Davenport and is from Idaho. When I asked him where we would be serving he said, ...”I will tell you later.” I soon found out we were heading south, to a place called Malargüe, the furthest area away from Mendoza. It was a really fun- six hour- bus ride! We are 6 hours away from the mission home and the closest missionaries to us are three hours away. There are 4 missionaries here (including me) and we do a LOT of walking.

The first day we walked a lot, presented one lesson, and had a meal at a members house. I didn't understand a word anyone said that day, but about 6 people on the street gave us their addresses.

The second day we walked by about ten houses and no one was home. We didn't get a single address from anybody. My legs have never been more sore. At least I'm getting stronger!

Although I can’t really understand the people that much... I try to talk to the people on the streets. Any time they say something. I have to turn to my companion for help. There isn’t much grass here so my shoes and basically everything else that I wear has a nice layer of dirt on them. Yes mom, there are dirt roads. All is well though so don't worry because I'm starting to understand the people little by little.

One funny story for the week. We talked to this really happy guy who knew a little bit of English. When my companion asked him where he learned it, he said something that I couldn’t understand. (Imagine that!) Anyway, we continued our conversation with him. Afterwards I asked my companion where the guy had learned English. "He learned it in prison Elder. I’m just glad he didn't kill any body!" Fun huh? Well, we are protected and that guy was too nice to us to do anything anyway.

Love you all and I love it here!
Elder ¿Misheres? (Myers)

PS Tell Brother Roberts I have already had four alfajores and I am buying my milk in bags Also, I got to watch General Conference in English. I loved it. It seemed to me the talks were all about missionary work and I plan on using every bit of advice I received! Love yall!

ON HIS WAY!!!!

Travis called from the Salt Lake Airport on September 26, 2011. He said he was ready and glad to be out of the MTC and on his way. He was traveling with 20 Elders/Sisters headed for Argentina and their next stop was NEW YORK/JFK airport. He called again from New York and had a wonderful conversation with his parents. After a day of worry (on our part) and wondering if he arrived safely - Mom received the following email and photo. We are SO excited he is safely in the arms of those loving missionaries and mission president. We are so anxious to hear from him and find out who his new companion is and where he is serving.

¡¡ Hola Familias !!!

How are we all doing? Let me tell you . I am tired! It has been quite the adventure.

I would like to inform each and every one of you that your Missionary has arrived safely into our arms!! Last night, as all 20 of our new Missionaries arrived, they had the privilege to eat dinner with our wonderful mission president, President Avila, and his family. Everyone has Smiles and we can honestly feel their energy and excitement to share the Gospel!! They are an amazing group.

Today was a day full of even more training meetings and each had the opportunity to be interviewed by President Avila . . . in Spanish! Your Missionary has met their trainer and many are traveling the last leg of their journey to their area right now.

Feel free to respond with questions. Just know that your child is Safe and Happy here in the Grand Misión Mendoza!

We love you.
Elder Ostler
Secretario Misión Mendoza Argentina

LAST LETTER FROM THE MTC! Time to PACK!

September 20, 2011

Well, life is good! Mi espanol es muy malo pero, Yo pienso yo puedo aprender. no se.
I don't have a lot of time this week . I will be leaving the MTC at 3:00 am Monday morning for the Salt Lake City Airport. From there we will fly to the Dallas/ Fort Worth Airport. Then we will fly to the New York/JFK airport and then we’ll fly to Argentina. After we arrive in Argentina, we will probably be on a bus for 11 hours, traveling across the country to Mendoza. That should be fun! A lot of study time! See ya!
Elder Myers

P.S.- I 've seen Ben Winslett quite a few times and I might get to host Elder Seigfried tomorrow!

SNAIL MAIL:
Hey Madre y Padre,

I can’t wait to call ya’ll. By the time you get this letter, I will have probably already called ya’ll and arrived in Argentina. I just want to let you both know that I AM READY! My Spanish might not be awesome, but I think I can teach about every lesson. I am going to work hard and believe that even if I get into what people call a ‘dead area’, I can still bring success, because the Lord is preparing people everywhere. I love you both and want you to not worry about me. Tristan is in a room right down the hall from me. He’s so excited to be here and hopefully we can get a picture together today.
Well, love ya’ll!
Your son,
Elder Myers
P.S. I’m sending a whole packet home of letters. I don’t think I have room for them in my suitcase.

Temple Experience Discussion

LETTER Received September 20, 2011

Okay, we literally have no time to write today. I love you both so much. I’m beginning to realize the pressure of the mission and my new calling as District Leader. I think I’ll get over it soon but just keep me in your prayers (not that I don’t think you are already doing that). Love ya!
Your son,
Elder Myers

Snail Mail this week:

Hey Mom and Dad!

“…I couldn’t be happier here and I think I’m learning more Spanish. I know I can’t speak great, but I think I might be able to express myself when I get to Argentina. I might have to act out a few things, but I think I can get my point across. Other than that, there’s nothing much going on here that hasn’t been going on before.

I guess I can share one story. Every Tuesday we have a devotional by a General Authority and after every devotional, we have a class testimony/discussion over what was taught. In one of our discussions we had about 30 minutes left over to do whatever. I felt prompted to ask if anyone had a special experience at the temple that day. After a few moments of silence, the sisters spoke up and said that when they were leaving the temple that day, they had seen some non-members going on a walk. They had a feeling to go and talk to them but they continued to walk all the way back down the mountain, to their dorm. When they got back to their dorm, they decided they had to go back and find the family. So, they walked all the way back up the mountain because that thought bugged them that much. They found the family still there and they just talked to them awhile. After they shared their experience with us, we had an awesome discussion of how the Spirit prompts people and how that prompting could change peoples lives. I learned the importance of having the Spirit as a companion. I know that if we have the Spirit when we teach, people will feel those same feelings. They might not accept it at first and they may walk away, but if they really feel something, it will be hard for them to forget and there is a good chance they will come back. Well, I love you two a ton and I just want you to know that I’m doing just fine. And if something bad does happen, “I ain’t a caring.”
Love, You son, Elder Travis Dillon Myers

READY FOR THE MISSION FIELD

(MISSION "Field")

E-MAIL received Sep 13, 2011
Hey Everybody! Absolutely nothing new here. Same thing every day, and I'm kinda ready to be in the field! All is well. I don't think I've ever been happier. Maybe when I'm in the field I'll have more to write about but as for now... nothing. Oh, fact for the day. I've lost 10 pounds since I've been here. no joke. I might be sending some pants back. It's all good though.
Love YALL
Elder Myers

P.S.- Mom and Dad, I'm not sure where I can get Jason Palfreymans address but I need it. I love you a ton and if I could get some family pictures ---that would be great too. I don't have any pictures of you two and the elders and sisters in my district really want to see who I'm mimicking. Ha ha ha. Love ya!

E-MAIL Received September 13, 2011

Hey! I didn´t use up all my time today so I get to write a little more. One of my companions was on the verge of being sent home this week because of his injured foot. He said his foot wasn´t fully healing and it still hurt him to walk. He talked to one of the Presidencies of the MTC and they told him that he would not be able to go to his original mission but they were sending his name to the Quorum of the twelve tomorrow for possible reassignment. He should have his new calling by tomorrow night or the next morning! He will be going to some mission that has cars. Maybe he'll get sent to the Texas Houston South Mission! Awesome right? He might be a little upset that he can't go to Mexico, but I think he is SOO relieved that he can just go. Well that's the news of the week. Bye! Elder Myers