Monday, April 30, 2012

It was another great and exciting week!  Uruguay is awesome!  It was nice to hear from all of you.  I love hearing what's going on and what everyone is up to.  I got mail this past week from Shelly, Cole, Jordan, and Grandma Gardanier.  I also received the Easter package.  Thank you so much!  It hit the spot! 

Mom, in answer to your questions, when we buy food here in Noblia we typically buy from this little store on the main road.  A member of the church works there so she usually hooks us up!  That is where we buy pretty much everything.  They have told us a little bit about Mother's Day and they even said we could Skype.  However, we are out in the freakin' boonies so we won't be able to do that.  But I will be able to call!  They'll tell us more this week and then I'll let you know what the plan is.

Monday, April 23, 2012

So it's been another amazing week!  I love the mission!  I'm meeting a ton of cool and amazing people everyday!

So today for P-day me and Elder Jackson (who is from Ogden, Utah) helped some missionaries move out of their house to an apartment.  After that we went and looked for some supplies for our house.

Just this last week we got an oven, washing machine, and a whiteboard for our house.  Our house is brand-new so it didn't have anything in it.  We've been slowly buying things for the last couple of weeks.  It's been a pain, but it's all good!  One of the pictures I'm sending is how we got the washer, oven and whiteboard to the house.  It's pretty funny, I thought.  Good ol' Jorge and his bike!  He's a

Monday, April 16, 2012

I had another amazing week!  I'm learning a ton from Elder Jackson.  In answer to your question, I haven't received any packages or mail yet.  Our mission president says it typically takes about a month to receive packages and about a week or two for mail.  It's interesting how they do mail here. We give our mail to our district leader who then sends it to the Mission President who then sends it through the mail to the U.S.  I don´t quite understand how it works, but anyway, I think you guys will receive my letters faster than I will receive yours.  I hear the mail here more reliable than other places in South America, but I'm still kinda hesitant.

We eat a lot of meat down here! A lot of noodles and meat, or sandwiches. Yesterday I ate a dog (I'm pretty sure I'm not joking).  I was trying not to think about it while I was eating!  It tasted alright. 

Monday, April 9, 2012

I´m doing great!  This week has been absolutely crazy and I don´t even know where to begin.  Monday was the longest day of my life. When I got to Uruguay (on Tuesday) we went to the mission home for two hours and then I found out I had to drive another 7 hours to get to Melo, spend the night, and then drive another hour the next day to get to Noblia.  It was the longest day ever - but it's all good.  Noblia is absolutely tiny and the people are super poor.  It's been a really humbling experience and I am super blessed to have the things I have in my life.  We live in a tiny, tiny house and have hot water for our showers but everything else is cold.  Elder Jackson is an absolute stud and has been showing me the ropes.  He works hard but he's been impressed with my attitude because I always want to work.  He's also impressed with my boldness.

Wednesday, April 4, 2012

I´ve made it to Uruguay safely!  This is a short email but I´ll be able to write more on Monday.  Monday is our P-day.  My new companion is Elder Jackson.  He's a cool guy and has been showing me around.  It's a lot different here, but it's awesome.  I´m living in Noblía and me and Elder Jackson are the only ones living in the house.  Noblía is close to the border of Brazil.  My zone leader is Elder Griffin and he is actually in my district.  He's a really awesome kid and it was nice seeing a familiar face.  [Zach's Dad: Elder Griffin is from Mapleton, Utah and we've known their family for many years].  I'm healthy and doing great!  It's a crazy world here!  Oh, and my Spanish is horrible; but it's all good.  I love you guys! I´ll talk to you on Monday!

Zach's dad:  Click here for a link to Zach's new city (or town, rather)

Sunday, April 1, 2012

Zach leaves for Uruguay tomorrow.  A couple of random videos from the MTC before he leaves: