Only a Little Bit

The Garcia Family

Well, this week we got a short email that answered some of our questions. So here's what we've found out ... We were happy to hear that Elder Mattei had received his package that contained his birthday gift as well as 12 Christmas presents for the 12 Days of Christmas. However we don't know if he is opening each gift on a different day or if he opened them all up at once. We're hoping he chose to open them one at a time, so that he has something to open Christmas morning.

He indicated that he would soon be writing Thank you notes to those of you who have sent gifts the past few weeks. He also said that he would soon be mailing the memory card to us, so hopefully more pictures and maybe even a video will be up soon. I'm really looking forward to seeing pictures of him, not to mention we supposedly trade memory cards, so I've been waiting on a card for my camera for 3 weeks now. :)

He likes Caldwell. It appears that he is living with a rather young family: 3 children, kindergarten age and younger, two of them named Lily and Nathan. We figured that they were living in a separate part of the home, but he said no their room is right next to the kids'. We found that rather interesting and very different from what we're used to here in St. Louis.

It looks like he travels by car, mostly. He and his companion are primarily working with less actives. (Those are members of the Church who seldom attend Church services or meetings.) He specifically mentioned the Garcia family whom he really likes,but I am not sure if they're members or investigators. No baptisms are pending at this time. And lastly, their meal situation is greatly improved. He said he's getting a lot more meals in Caldwell! He promises to write much more next week. We just can't wait to talk to him Christmas Day!!!

In Caldwell Now

Well about the phone call, I can probably call from the Mission phone considering its sprint and it won't cost either of us money. I would prefer to call maybe around night time since mom may be working. Or maybe during the afternoon sometime. My companion will have to talk to his parents during the morning since his family is all in France. Things here have been going well just a bit stressful because my companion works really really hard and it gets to the point where it stresses me out because I need a break. I think he is a good guy and a great missionary but he works way too hard. It's kinda like he is a robot. All he wants to do is teach teach teach and it's hard for me to talk to him about anything that isn't related to church. I have to have a lot of patience because I have trouble understanding him sometimes. He is also the worst driver ever. Worse than Lindsay lol. A timely comment: Within 30 minutes of Greg sending this email, Lindsay and Mark were in a car accident. Thankfully neither of them was hurt, but Greg's old Camry was totaled. OOPS! He wouldn't pass a drivers test I don't think. He has an international license but I let him drive because I want him to learn. He has trouble doing just basic parking and he ran a red light way too late. I have been driving lately because of all the snow and ice because he can't drive in that and I have driven in it before. But like I said he is really nice and is a hard worker. I'm glad he is a hard worker but in some ways I think he overdoes it because sometimes it makes me miserable because he sucks the fun out of everything. Like I just need a break sometimes because my medicine makes me tired and it just stresses me out. Other than that I have no problem with him. Most people think he kinda needs to chill out sometimes too and just learn to have fun and be more social. Last night we had a bon fire at the zone leaders house. Our Zone is awesome. We had like our whole zone there and we stayed up till 3 am. We had a bunch of boy scouts that couldn't start a fire so we had to use lighter fluid lol. It took like 30 min and it was probably about 6 degrees last night and below zero with wind chill. It was a lot of fun. I got to know people a lot more and I had a lot of fun. I took some pictures so I will be sending my memory card home soon. I had to sleep on the floor and get up at 7 am. But I really enjoyed it and it's like a once in awhile thing we do like maybe once a transfer. We call them P-day eves. But anyways I need to go. Take care. Please send my GPS soon because I really need it because my companion doesn't know the area the best and we keep having to turn around and stuff because he doesn't know the area and its wasting miles so I really need a GPS. Okay we got the HINT!

Love

Elder Mattei

- Are you staying with a family? yes, Bro. and sis. Perkins

- If so what are their names and do they have children, etc? they have 3 children and one on the way. I don't know all their names yet

- Do you have your own room, etc.? Yeah, its a pretty nice house

- How long has your companion been out? I think 10 months

- You said he is from France, what part? Southern part of France

- Do you both get along? Yeah we both get along well.

- What Wards are you serving in? Caldwell 9th, 15th and 5th ward

- How many missionaries are in your area? Maybe 10?

- Anyone you know or have worked with? Elder Nelson and thats it

- Are you currently teaching anyone? Yes a ton of people

- How are you doing on money and such? Money is decent but I don't have a whole lot cause of groceries and such

Stressed Out and Wiped Out

Greg is being transferred to Caldwell, ID tomorrow. I think he was ready for a change. It's only about 30 minutes west of where he is now ~ So on the other side of Boise.


I spent last night with Russ and said goodbye to him and I also got a chance to watch the Saints game and they killed the Patriots. I have been stressed lately with packing stuff and making sure I have everything. I have to sleep on the floor tonight at another Elder's house. I'm gonna head to my area tomorrow at some point. President talked to me today and told me he is sending me to that area because he knows I'll work hard. I'm really tired right now because I have not slept well the past 2 nights because I have been busy packing and stuff. Today I went and played racket ball at a members house. It was a lot of fun. They have their own built in racket ball court and their house was worth at least a million dollars. We have another baptismal date set but I probably won't be there for it. Her name is Andrea and she is twenty years old. She is really nice and we taught her the first two lessons before I left. Yes I know Elder Nelson. He is cool and get along with him pretty well. I'm extremly tired right now so I'm sorry if this message is short. I have been busy all day and yesterday so I'm about wiped out.

Love
Elder Mattei