September 30 2008, Elder Milner

Hey Everyone, it was so great to hear from all of you. It sounds like everyone is keeping busy, but having a good time while you are at it. I am also keeping pretty busy here as you might imagine.
Things are going really good down here. We had the opportunity to go out and proselyte on Saturday for most of the day, and it was a great experience. I have never seen anything before like what I saw Saturday, as we went out to a very poor section of Lima. The people have almost nothing, yet they are really kind, loving people. If only us in North America could understand and comprehend life like these amazing people. We were able to teach five lessons on Saturday, and though I didn´t understand a whole lot of what the people were saying, it was a great opportunity to be an instrument in the hand of the Lord.
We are still eating rice and chicken, but the other day they switched things up a little bit, and made hamburger patties and fries with rice. Though it wasn´t quite the same, I was still very greatful for the guesture. They do every once in a while make soft serve ice cream here, which is really good. But this last Sunday I was fasting, so i missed it. This morning we went to an immigration place, and afterwards we were allowed to stop at a gas station, and oh my goodness, I have never been so happy to see starburst in my life. I nearly passed out. We don´t have any candy here, and so I was pretty much dying. One of God´s tender mercies, I really believe.So I figured out the other day that our CCM president here, President Groberg, is actually the brother of Elder Groberg from the Quorum of the Seventy. Interesting, eh? It is really nice being here, I really enjoy almost everything about this place.
I just can´t seem to say enough about the soccer here. I love it, and after a whole day of classes, you need that break in the middle. Really great.
As of tomorrow I have hit my five week mark here on my mission. I have four more weeks here at the CCM, and then I am out in el campo. I really do understand the need for the training here, and do really apreciate it, but I know I am really going to be dying to get out there in four weeks.
The language learning is tough, but it is coming. I can understand a lot of what the people here say when they speak slowly, but really have a tough time understanding them when they are speaking as fast as many of them do. What a difference though here than in the Provo MTC. I think I learned more spanish here in the first week than in all three at Provo.
Well, I don´t have too much to say for this week, just lots of classes, and chicken and rice. I love you all, and I know this work is inspired. Whom the Lord calls the Lord qualifies. I love that saying. Our Savior is with us always, and when we open our mouths to share His truths, our mouths we be filled with the Holy Ghost.

Love, Elder Milner