T-minus 5 Days and Counting.

Helllo.

So everybody, I will just start at the begining of the week? Ok. Sorry about my spelling. For some reason I can't spell anymore! It's probably my brain just getting fried from all this Spanish haha. Anyway, so last week I got my latino companion. He's from Peru. His name is Elder Flores. Also, last week I got called to be district leader. Kinda interesting to say the least because I have to conduct meetings in Spanish! Haha YIKES. I wonder if anybody even understands me... They all just smile and nod their heads. How nice of them! haha. Anyway, this week a guy named Elder Lyle showed up. He's a white boy from Oregon. Annnnd- he's going to my mission! The first person I've met going to my mission. Oh, and he's leaving with me because he's already pretty much fluent with Spanish. Lucky duck only has to spend 2 weeks in the CCM! It's all good though. So I have 5 days left in the CCM. Pretty nervous, but ready to get out of the CCM I guess. The temple today was good as always, and I get to go again on Friday one last time before I leave. Sweet. SO- Bogota is a huge city. It's crazy how many people are here. It's also crazy at how much poverty I've seen already and I haven't even left the CCM. Be grateful for what you have. It's humbling looking out the window of a van or a bus and seeing Bogota. It's a beautiful place here in Colombia. Wish you all could see it with me. Next time I write I might be in Cali! Sweet! Anyway, hope you all have a good week. Love you all tons.

Elder Dean

BIrthday In Colombia

Yo yo yo-

Hows it going everybody? I have 13 days left here in the CCM! I get a new companion tonight. He will be Latino. Sweet. Anyway, I had to switch rooms because we sent off another group of Latino elders yesterday, and the new group is arriving tonight. And guess what... I get to leave with this group! Nice. Anyway, this was an awesome p-day. Us gringos got to go to the temple today, and then after, go tour the city a little bit! We got to go to the museo de oro (museum of gold). It was sweet. It had a ton of gold from ancient times. All of the old gold stuff reminded me of Book of Mormon times here in South America. After the museum we all got to go this Catholic church on top of the mountain overlooking Bogota! Sooo tight. They gave me back my camera to take pictures for the first time, but they took it back right after so I can't load them... Lame. I'll upload some after the CCM. So for my birthday I got a pen from Elder Clark, a pack of gum from Elder Sterner, and a piece of candy from Elder Thomas. Pretty good stuff. Oh, and later that night while I was asleep at like 11:30, the Latino elders in my room attacked me with shaving cream in my bed... Yuck. Ha! It's all good though, I love 'em anyway. Well I hope you all have a good week. Go to the temple or read the Book of Mormon this week. Better yet, do both! Haha! Love you all. 

Elder Dean

Almost Made A Run For It.

Family. Friends. What's up?

So I have like 19 days left in here. A little over half way. SO I got a new companion this week. His name is Elder Gleason. Sorry I can't send pics. I'll send a bunch after the CCM! Anyway, he´ll be my companion this week, but then for my last two weeks here I get a Latino companion. That will be interesting, but I'm super excited. So the temple this morning was good. I love the temple here, it's beautiful. I hope all of you who have temple recommends go to the temple soon. I promise you won't regret it. Oh, and I didn't die on the way to the temple or coming back either, so that's good. Ha crazy drivers! This city is huge... I'm super excited to get out to Cali and start working - even if I don't speak much Spanish.

So earlier this week me and some other gringos got to go outside the compound and clean up the sidewalks around the CCM. It felt good just being outside the gate. I thought for a second about making a run for it, but don't worry, I controlled myself. I have new roomates now, too. 4 latinos, me, and Elder Gleason. It's cool because they speak no English. They laugh at me a lot, but I laugh too, cause I know I sound silly. Anyway, hope you all have a good week. I'll be here in Bogota just trying to learn this language. Ha! Love you all.

Elder Dean

Learning Spanish Like A Tortuga

Hey everyone!

I'm doing just fine here in Bogota. Learing spanish like a tortuga (turtle)! haha! But for real, I feel like I'm learing sooo slow. I'm sure I'll pick it up eventually. So today we went to the temple again, just us gringos. All my latino amigos left for their missions 2 nights ago. Those lucky guys, they only have to stay in here 10 days! But yeah, saying goodbye to Elder Rondon was sad. Maybe shed a tear or two, but who's counting. Elder Rojas gave me a Colombian soccer jersery too, so that's sweet! It even fits! Imagine that! I have 4 more weeks in here, so I'm praying I make it out to my mission in Cali alive! Haha Just kidding. I'm getting a new companion tomorrow because they need Elder Romero to help out another missionary with the spanish. Bummer. It was nice having him as my companion. Anyway, side note- driving here in Colombia is NUTS. Every time we leave the CCM I'm scared for my life. I literaly have to almost close my eyes. There are like no traffic rules! Hope everyone has a good week. Talk to you all later

Elder Dean