TACO BELL

Family!!!
Wow. I can't believe that Christmas is in less than 3 weeks. I can't believe I've been here for over a month. Well this week was kind of crazy. I went to Quito and got my Censo, card that let's me stay in the country. It's about 3-4 hours to Quito. We left at 3 AM on monday night/tuesday morning. We didn't even sleep. We got there and got the censo and then, believe it or not, we found a Taco Bell in Quito. It wasn't quite the same but it was good. I thought that was the craziest thing ever. I also went to the mission offices and found out that I have lost 15 lbs. already. I weigh 230 now. Walking in the heat and humidity in a 3rd world country can do that to you : ) I had a meal without rice the other day and I actually wanted rice. They usually have it with everything so I was astonished. The 1st Presidency Devotional was awesome last night. It was pouring and there was lightning for the first time during the devotional. I actually got to watch it in English with the other gringos. It was nice to watch something where the lips and words were the same. So I heard that the Christmas schedule is weird. We go to our apartments at 4PM because they have some tradition that women are scandolously dressed and won't let you pass unless you give them money. It's either money or they get to kiss you. That's just a little bit of a problem for us so we'll be inside. I don't know when I get to call. All I know is that it's for 30-45 minutes long so I don't know how you want to do it. Remember that I'm in the same time as Florida right now.
Also, it would be sweet if you could send CD's that are missionary apropriate. Himnos(Hymns in Spanish), Josh Grobeck or something similar. Whatever you want. I'm going to by a CD player and speakers here. It's actually more expensive here to buy a CD Player. I don't know what you think about sending it through the mail because it costs $50 for the player and $10 for speakers.
I keep trying to send more pictures but MyLDSMail.net is really slow and can only take 3 pictures in one e-mail. I think I'm going to make a CD and send it in the mail. I don't know when, but I'll send it eventually.
Well I have 2 scriptures, one is serious and the other is a funny that my companion showed me. First the serious. I studied Jacob 2 this week and I applied this scripture in a different way. It was just a thought that came to me when I was reading it. Jacob 2:16-17 replace "substance" with "knowledge of the gospel". I thought it was a cool application. Ok now here's a funny one. Read 1 Nephi 11:10 then read verse 15. I thought it was hilarious when E. Estrada showed me.
Well this week I feel more comfortable teaching in Spanish. I know it's not perfect, but I'm sharing more and more every lesson. I can almost understand everything now. I can tell what's going on, for the most part. That's sweet to hear that Greg is doing so well. I hope they kill Hamilton. Can't believe the Cats decided to be good while I'm gone : )
Next week there are cambios (changes). It's where new missionaries come so companions change. President SLoan doesn't have cambios though. Obviouly there will be one every 6 weeks for the new missionaries, but he does them whenever he feels it's right. E. Estrada's previous companionship only lasted for 1 week. So, the cambio isn't for everyone so who knows what will happen. I don't know if I'll get to write if there are cambios because it's on Monday's. We're supposed to be changing apartments on Monday too. That'll be fun. Well I love you all!!!!!

Love,
Élder Hakes