Changes to Delores

Jaydan had changes and went to Delores. He has a new companion, Elder Guardipee, from Idaho.

Last week after Jaydan wrote to us he was robbed. (first time) He was robbed just over $150 which is a little more than 3000 pecos. He had finally received his reimbursals and still had a little of his own money and it was all taken. The missionaries went to play soccer and left everything in the church while they did. Someone went into the church and cleaned Jaydan out. (he didn't mention if others were robbed too) Jaydan said it was the first time he didn't have his money with him. (bet it's the last time too) He had $3 to live off for a week. He managed to survive though but was still mad about it.

The President called Jaydan yesterday morning to tell him about his new comp. His comp has 3 months left of his mission and is always "sick". So basically Jaydan will just take care of him (Jaydan's words were "babysit") him until he goes home. The President told Jaydan that he trusts him and knows that he will be able to handle this change. He also told Jaydan he would like to make him senior companion soon.

Jaydan is still enjoying himself and the members. He was with some members the other day and one of the girls who is 17 or 18 kept fake punching the Elders and while correcting someone and showing them how to do it she really punched herself in her chin. Jaydan said it was really funny. They went to this same family to tell them good bye since they were being transferred. The mother told Jaydan that the other Elders would give her a kiss when they left the area but she didn't think Jaydan would because he is too strict with the rules. She was right Jaydan didn't. This lady is considered the "mom" of this area. There is also a "sister" (Cinthia) in the area that they also went by to tell good bye and get pictures of her and her family. Jaydan really loves her dad and considers him a great friend. Jaydan felt like it was his job to help reactivate this guy and the guy did come to church on Sunday. Jaydan just loves him and thinks he is great. This family invited Jaydan and his comp for dinner before they left the area. They had chivitos...which were super good.

Today for p-day they went and bought lunch and went to a big park to eat and hang out. They were doing some crazy stuff and Jaydan found a tree and climbed it. He went higher and higher and kept shaking it. It started to crack and split so Jaydan hurried back down. Then him and a few more Elders pushed a big dead tree over. Jaydan got the nickname of "Rompearbol" meaning "tree breaker".

Some of the people in this area told Jaydan they were sad to see him leave. He had become friends with a lot. The sister missionaries cried a little even. The couple missionaries really liked him too and treated Jaydan good. It was a good area but a change will be good.

Muuuuuuuuuccccchhhh love,
Thee Elder Ropelato

To all you lovely Fart Buckets

After Jaydan's last few letters Bishop Ropelato decided to let the Mission President know what was going on. The President had a talk with the Elders and Jaydan's comp decided he didn't like him telling on him and I guess they can't be as good of friends. That was hard for Jaydan since his comp has been his best friend in the mission. (I am glad Jaydan said something...his comp was waisting his time and Jaydans)

This week has been both great and horrible. The horrible part came from the other Elders that had been breaking the rules and were busted. They took it out on Jaydan. They were doing better though after a few days or so. Jaydan said "it's all good in the neighborhood."

Jaydan's birthday was Super Cool! He had 2 parties to attend. (go ahead and think popular if you want to....says Jaydan) At the first house most of the branch had been there. But after missing a bus in Colonia and being really late people had left and were leaving by the time Jaydan showed up. Jaydan ended up having a little cake fight with one of the girls. She had put some cake on Jaydan's face and so he chased her and got her back. (so much like his dad)

After that house they went to "Jaydan's Sisters" house. (sister in that area....really I have no idea what he means) She made the "best" cake ever. It might not look so good from the outside but it was the yummiest cake ever. Jaydan even said it should be the new "better than sex" cake. (.....oh never mind) It was amazing hanging out with the members and having fun with them.

We put some money in Jaydan's account since it costs so much to ship things to him. He was planning on saving it but decided to go to lunch the next day with some of the Elders. (I'm glad he did...since it was for his Birthday)

Zone Conference was awesome. They talked about the Atonement which opened up a lot of stuff and got Jaydan thinking. We need to realize that really Christ did suffer for everything that we have suffered and all that we will suffer. There is always a way out and that is through Him, Jesus Christ. If we will repent we will always be forgiven. They also had a really spiritual District meeting about the same thing. We all need to just take some time and really think about Christ and all that He has done for each of us. Jaydan says he feels horrible for everything bad that he does because he knows that he caused Christ to suffer for those things. So we need to repent and do everything we can to resolve the problem and never do it again.

Jaydan's best friend in the mission is Sister Smith. They get along really well and just get each others humor. They are so "freakin hilarious" together. Everyone loves having those to around because they do have such a good time. ("all appropriate and clean")

Much Love
Thee Elder Ropelato

ps...maybe someone could send Jaydan the sport updates....he just threw that out there if anyone is interested...he would be.

Jaydan is 20!

This hasn't been the best week. But have no fear Jaydan is still loving the mission so no problems there are just a few struggles.

So after such an awesome week last week this one was really disappointing. Jaydan's comp didn't want to go to any of the return appointments because they were too far away. They did visit one contact that was close but that was it. Jaydan was bugged since they had set up appointments and they (the missionaries) weren't following through.

There is another missionary from Uruguay that only has a week left and he was on a special division with a Elder from Paraguay just so they could enjoy their time because they are both so trunky and a bit trutcho (or break rules sometimes) They came out to Jaydan's area which they are not suppose to do and since Jaydan's comp is also very trunky the three of them destroyed Jaydan on Tuesday. They didn't do any missionary work on Tuesday. They just stayed in the house and watched the TV from the Church. They even rented a playstation 2 and played that all day. Jaydan caught up his journal and got some good reading in and studied his Spanish. They others kept trying to get Jaydan to play with them but he wouldn't and so they just kept right on playing. Jaydan went in to shave and when he was done he noticed it was pretty quiet. The other Elders had left and went to a little store and left Jaydan alone. These Elders were super trunky all week and Jaydan didn't want to tell us the other things that they had done. It was just a disappointing week for him.

The did have a lesson with Marie Belen who is the niece of some members. I think Marie is a Jehovah Witness. Jaydan thinks Marie might be a probable baptism. Jaydan's comp only goes to houses he feels good about ....he doesn't care if Jaydan feels good about any and it really bothered Jaydan that they didn't go to the appointments they had set up.

Jaydan was excited for today since it is his birthday. The couple missionaries are in Jaydan's zone and the Sister was going to make Jaydan a cake or some cupcakes but they were in Montevideo today so that didn't happen. The Elders were suppose to be back in their area by 4:30 to meet with some members and have some people over that wanted to meet Jaydan. Then some other members are giving Jaydan a party at 6:00. When Jaydan asked his comp what time they were going to leave to go back to their area his comp said 5:00. Which meant that they wouldn't meet with the members and the people they were having over and that also meant they would be late for Jaydan's birthday party. So today isn't Jaydan's happiest day ever and he is on his reserve tank of patience.

Jaydan was super thankful for all the little Happy Birthday emails that he got. He said we saved his birthday from being a complete pile of poop. We put smiles on his face and laughter inside of him. Then the computers turned off and they had to start again. :)

"I love you all so much and thank you so much for all your letters. They saved me today. Love you more than you know."

Too much love to express,
Thee Elder Ropelato

ps Happy Sweet Valentines Day to you ALL!

One more week until 20

Spider man....Jaydan's comp

Jaydan's blood on the fan.

This week they had divisions again and they were in Jaydan's area. Jaydan was with Elder Myers from California this week. This is Elder Myers second month in the mission so he is pretty new. Jaydan was glad to have him because Jaydan got to call the shots. Elder Myers wanted to work hard too and so that is exactly what they did. They went to an area that is outside the main city that Jaydan had never been to before...mainly because his comp doesn't like walking far. This area is also considered to be dangerous but Jaydan said with a prayer and hard work nothing bad happened. They found a less active family that just had a new baby (just a few days old). They talked about the baby and kind of used it to get the family to come back to church. They passed by another house and Jaydan said "Hi" to the lady and she asked them to come back in 30 minutes. So they continued on and had a good lesson with a guy named Sisto. Sisto was saying that he didn't like how all Churches rob their members (or the pastors). Jaydan then taught Sisto about tithing and fast offerings and Sisto just stood there like "ooohhhh". Then the Elders threw that into the restoration and gave him a Book of Mormon. They went back to the lady that had asked them to. Jaydan just said "Hi" again and she told them to come in, come in. Jaydan thought that she was probably a less active member since she invited them in the way she did. She wasn't a member and had seen missionaries in her area before but none had ever stopped to talk to her. She was really glad that Jaydan and Elder Myers did. Her name is Andrea and they were able to teach her the Plan of Salvation. Jaydan thought Andrea was just "so freakin sick".....meaning super awesome, humble and receptive. They had a wonderful experience with her. Jaydan described it as "an awesome, tear up carmelo day." :) (love this kid)

The next day they started off with a good service project for one sister in the ward and after she gave them lunch the Elders ran home to change so they could return to the "promised land". Jaydan likes to call it that because it is a distant area and after spending 3 to 4 hours there had some good contacts and lessons. The second time they went there wasn't as successful but they did get some contacts. They went back and visited some less actives which was pretty productive. Then they found this "super sick" lady named Silvia who is just "wow!" They had an awesome lesson with her and gave her a Book of Mormon and she is really excited to read it. She does work a ton and so she will need the Lord to bless her for things to work out for her.

On Sunday before Church, Jaydan and his comp needed to exchange some tickets that they had for Zone Conference. They passed a couple of guys drinkin and smoking on the way back to the Church and invited them to come with them. They talked for about 15 minutes but neither wanted to go to Church. During the first class at Church one of the guys (Le0) poked his head in but when he was invited to come in he wouldn't. Leo said that his friend, Alejandro also came in the Church but when they looked for him they couldn't find him. They went outside and talked to Leo and then Alejandro came out of the Church. Alejandro had been talking to the 2nd counselor who happened to be his cousin. So the Elders talked to these two about separate things for quite awhile. Jaydan said it was cool how they just switched back and forth and it worked out. Another friend also came out and they talked to him for awhile too. They got appointments set up with them for another day. Even though these guys were a bit drunk they were still able to ask some really good questions and have a good conversation.

Today for p-day Jaydan had everyone in the zone laughing hysterically. He really enjoys making people laugh and smile. (don't know what he did or said...he didn't mention that) He said that the laughter brings brings everyone together and close and is a great way to enjoy their time together. Jaydan really loves seeing everyone smiling and having a good time. Some times when they play sports things get a little heated and when that happens Jaydan will do something to get them laughing! Jaydan loves making others happy!

Bastante amor de

Thee Elder Ropelato

quess who??? piece of poo!!! muah hahaha

Jaydan went on divisions this week with his zone leader, Elder Smith from South Dakota. When they were on the bus going to Jaydan's area Jaydan said: "Hey Elder Smith, Elder Pardo (Jaydan's comp) never gave me the key's so we can't unlock the house to get in." They laughed a little and waited until they got to his house. When they got to the house they climbed up the house and down into the back porch wondering what to do. The kitchen window was open and so Jaydan reached in to grab a key to the back door but the other key was already in the door and Jaydan couldn't push it out or twist it. They thought about going through the kitchen window but it would have broke the way it was. Jaydan then noticed the little bathroom window that was opened also. Jaydan used his "Ninja Skills" to climb up the wall and go through the window. He fell into the bathroom and was able to go unlock the doors. During Divisions they had a pretty good day and they found a lot of people who could be investigators with a second visit. It was mainly setting up the area which was pretty cool for Jaydan. When Jaydan was with his comp they weren't able to contact the people but will try again.

It's getting hotter and more humid which isn't much different fromthe other days just a little bit worse. Jaydan said that they had a pretty descent lesson with the Jehovah Witness and Jaydan's Branch President. The Jehovah Witness didn't want the missionaries coming back without the President.

Jaydan feels really bad that he isn't accomplishing as much as he thinks they should be. His comp is getting more and more trunky and there really isn't a whole lot that Jaydan can do to change that. Jaydan will tell his comp that they shouldn't be doing something and he will just respond with "Who is going to stop me?" or "it doesn't say that specifically in the white handbook" or "I can do what I want". When it gets to that point Jaydan will just stop trying to reason with him. Jaydan wants to keep the unity between them. Jaydan will say okay let's go work hard today and his comp will agree. But, working hard to his comp means visiting with the members all day. They do need to do that to though since the Branch does have some problems. Jaydan and his comp were trying to think about the members that didn't talk bad about other members and they could only come up with about 3. The members don't get along and talk bad about each other. Jaydan thought it was getting better since the last change but it's back to how it was. Jaydan said they honestly spend more time in their house or if they are out they are usually at a members and not teaching. Jaydan is having a hard time with all this and is starting to loose his patience....it's making him crazy. Jaydan knows this is just a test and he will continue to endure and try to make the best of it. Jaydan loves when they actually do teach because they do a good job but it isn't happening often enough. The only time he actually works hard all day in on divisions when he is with a different missionary. Jaydan said that he is trying to learn from everything that is happening. He is also trying to stay positive and just do everything that he can do to be the best missionary that he can be. He does love his comp and they are super friends it's the work (or lack of it) that gets to Jaydan.

"It's good to hear that life is a bit better back home. Kimi close to driver ed, Braxton with a girl (and I hope she is real~hahaha just kidding), Natalies is having a birthday.....Nat fa brains (I was going to write you the song but I didn't feel like writing more hahaha sorry). My birthday is exactly two weeks. Oh ya super crazy! But I have to go so I shall chit chat with ya lovely tards later! Love ya all!"
"Much Love,
Thee Elder Ropelato"

Cavemen

Jaydan's comp being spiderman

little kid with the mask on backwards

Jaydan loves watermelons

Jaydan got his arm caught in a fan and blood sprayed everywhere

First thing...Jaydan assured me that he isn't doing anything super bad. He said it is just hard to keep all the rules when you are the Junior comp and when your companion is trunky and not wanting to work hard. Jaydan is trying to encourage him and said that he is noticing a change. Others are also encouraging the Elders to work hard. There are just a few little things that they still need to work on. He said: "no worries mom-you know I have the desire for obedience so it's all good."

The office is really messing up and the Elders haven't been reimbursed for five weeks now. It's really hard to live without them. Jaydan doesn't like having to use his personal money but is having to often. (he's not liking that at all)

While on the bus headed for the main city Jaydan was sitting across from the two men who are in the Cave Men commercials...the ones that say "even a caveman can do that." Jaydan said they look exactly the same and he really wanted to get their autograph but chicken out. (no fame for him now)

They were able to find a family of three this week. All three members of the family belong to a different religion. They were great to talk with and had a ton of good questions. When they heard how big our family was they told Jaydan he had his own tribe at home waiting for him. (should I be offended?....I'm not) Jaydan thought it was pretty funny. These people also made fun of Jaydan for wanting to be a masseuse when he gets home. He said they kind of insinuated that he might be gay since they thought that only women did that kind of work. Jaydan told them that wasn't true at all but thought they were pretty sick anyway.

Two of Jaydan's best investigators and most likely to be baptized are Jehovah Witnesses. I guess the missionaries are always trying to get JW's and here Jaydan has two. One of them goes to church every week but her Uncle who is a less active member doesn't want the missionaries to teach her. That is a bit of a problem that they are working with. The other one just needs to get married. They are both really cool and so they may have two JW's this change.

The Zone is doing good and really working hard. (kicking it as Jaydan put it) The members are doing better and they are working on the quality of people and preparing those better who get baptize.

The Book of Mormon thing with the members is catching on and they are seeing good things happening. Jaydan is noticing some good changes happening in this area which really needed some change.

Today for pday they played soccer. (is there any other sport in other countries?) Jaydan is learning to play goalie and did pretty good today. He blocked the ball with his face and gut a few times today but his team ended up winning. He only got the wind knocked out of him once and that was only for a few seconds. He really like playing.

Secret Language

Changes just happened and Jaydan is staying where he is with the same companion. He thinks that is just fine and cool. His comp is finally wanted to work again and so that makes Jaydan excited as well. (he's ready to go)

They have been working with the Branch on a few things and things are looking up. The members seem to respect the Elders more and have more of a desire to help them out. Jaydan is hoping the members will accept the less active and non members better now.

This week was tough and there is a lot of time being wasted. The Elders are spending a lot of time at home or just in members homes and getting home late. Jaydan said there are too many rules being broken also. He will say things to his comp that he can't take it anymore and they need to stop and his comp replies with "who will stop me". (oh the joys) Jaydan really does love his comp though in spite of his attitude. They are good friends learning a lot from each other and they are able to work with unity together also. Jaydan said: "I am super dooper, alley ooper, excited for this next change.

Jaydan and his comp made their agendas into plates like the golden plates. They are pretty cool. Jaydan and his comp also came up with a secret language to write with. It's a mix of English and Spanish, Chinese, Arabic and Hebrew. It's super cool looking and they can send each other little letters. There are only four Elders that know this "secret language" so they will be able to communicate with each other throughout the mission and others won't know what is being said. Jaydan thinks that is "super cool".

Jaydan's comp had a dream about Larry. He said he is for sure going to come and visit us. In his dream he was at our house visiting and joking with Larry. The things he was saying were really close to how things really are.

Did a lot of traveling this week. Jaydan had to pay for all the tickets (bus) since his comp doesn't have any money left. Jaydan even had to use personal money which he really doesn't like doing. The Elders are suppose to get reimbursed for their tickets but right now they are three weeks behind in getting them and so Jaydan has to spend his own money. He likes being on a mission though and loves Uruguay just a few little things bug him.

Jaydan really likes that the people know him now and like him. Some even know him better than his comp who has been there longer.