Dear Family,
If my life had a newspaper, I think the latest headline would read something like this... "Elder Staheli: From concrete to LAPUK!" For those of you who don't speak my language, lapuk means MUD. I'm definitely not in the city anymore, but can I tell you just how much I LOVE my new area? Now that I am assigned here in Escalante, I have had the opportunity to see every area in the entire mission. It's been such a privilege to have been able to see so much culture, beauty, and diversity. Since I have seen every area in the mission, I can confidently say that this is the most beautiful zone in the entire mission! I often wish that you could see the things that I see, and experience the things that I experience everyday. My mission is the hardest thing that I have ever done. I have often heard that the discipline and standards of the military change a person. Well I've never served in the military, but if you want my opinion, there is no better way to change the attitude, behavior, and actions of a person than by serving a mission. It's something that you can tell people over and over again, but unless you serve and experience for yourself, you cannot fully comprehend or appreciate the beauty of serving others and receiving happiness and experience in your life.
Having said that, my new companion is the best! His name is Elder Villamater. He is one of the best missionaries that I have had the pleasure of serving with in my entire mission. I often think about my first few companions and the attitude that I had toward them while serving with them. It was easy to find their faults and weaknesses; easy to blame them for my own lack of personal progress. If you go into any relationship with the mindset of changing someone or expecting perfection, you will never enter into a strong or healthy relationship. This is the first thing that I can distinctly remember learning on my mission. If you cannot get along with others, no matter who it is or what the situation may be, you are going to have an extremely difficult time finding happiness in life.
We are still waiting on a truck, but I do officially have a Filipino license! We actually borrowed the truck of the Senior couple that is assigned in our area for a few days, so I was able to drive around for the first time since I left! It was a little strange at first, but I adjusted in no time. Hopefully we will be able to get a truck up here in the next few weeks because we need it desperately!
Well, I could probably go on much longer, but I feel good with leaving it at that for this week. You sent so many pictures this week! I love them! I love the kids costumes. Tell Krue to eat lots of candy for me! Oh, and just so you all know... the computers out here are...not as good as they are in the city. Meaning, I may not be sending pictures every week because of the viruses that are on many of the computers. If I feel comfortable, I will send some. I think that I am going to try and send some right now. Keep your fingers crossed! By the way...Christmas is getting close. I'm looking forward to talking to you all again in a few weeks!
With love...
Elder Staheli.
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