The Brazilian (And Native American Arizona) Adventure: Week 10 August
6-August 11
Dear Family and Friends
Last week on Monday for P-Day. Our whole Zone got together and did
some activities. We had a Barbaque. We played some softball and some
Basketball. Basketball was supper tight and legit. We got some good
players, so it was fun. But man am I out of shape. I was breathing so
hard. I realized last week I'm getting fat and stuff. So when I
realized how out of shape I was. I was told me self "Oh naw hecks naw,
is you for real, that ain't gonna happen boy. Ya gots to be ready to
be helping some homies when they go be needing yo help. I done mest
up.". So I'm started to work out seriously now. I used to just do
some push ups and sit ups here and there. But now, I stepped it up
big. Tuesday morning I started to do a workout video called
"Insanity". This work out is insane, oh haha that's why they call it
that. But every morning, I'm sweating up a storm. My cloths and body
is so wet, it's like I jumped in a pool and got back out. Man I'm out of
shape. But I did it every morning this whole week. And I feel like a
champ now. But I'm going to keep going with it. I want to give up
sometimes, but I keep going. I'll tell you what my dad and older
brothers taught me better then to give up on things. So my Jones pride
is kicking in, and I'm going to show this little work out whats up
every morning. Hopefully.

This week was kinda a drunk man week. Those Navajos sure like their
alcohol. Me and Elder Kay met up with so many drunks. And it is so
hard teaching the gospel to a drunk. It's definitely a challenge. But I
think we did alright. I think they understood. haha They were so
flippen funny. One's name was Dougi, and he had a radio out in his
garden so that the music can keep his plants company, so that was
thoughtful of him. He also wanted to make me a Navajo. We also found a
drunk that crashed on the side of the rode and his car was stuck. It
was pretty cool though, he told us that he prayed to God for some
help, and then when he said amen, we came down the road and stopped to
help him. Just another miracle out here on my mission. We tried
pushing him out. When I was pushing him out, the muffler was right
under me and it was plugged up and so when he was pushing the gas a
lot, a big ball of dirt shot up and smashed me in the face and body.
So that kinda hurt. We then backed up, and drunk was pushing on the
gas like crazy trying to get out but he wasn't going no where. And
then he burnt out his car's engine and destroyed it. Some other noises
went on in the engine that didn't sound good. It was actually kinda
funny, I tried not laughing. So we just called President Batt to ask
if we can take him home, he gave the OK and we took him home.

My companion is so dang good at listening to the spirit. He is just a
rancher from Idaho. He doesn't know much about the gospel like me. But
he is good at following the spirit. We are always running into good
situations because of him. Some nights me and my trainer go on a
random rage and we wrestle around. We are pretty even. My trainer is
so legit. So out here on the mission, your trainer is known as you
father. And you are his son.  He shared me a quote given to him by my
great great grandpa- "It's not about how much gospel you know, it's
about how much gospel you live" That is such a great quote and I'm all
about that. My companion is awesome. I'm starting to learn how to
loosen up out here and just be myself. I was so dang stiff when I first
got out here. I was always trying to be the best missionary that I
could be, which is good, but I was not my self completely and I was
kinda serious all the time. But I'm starting to realize that the
only way I can be the best missionary, is if I'm myself. I'm not here
to change who I am, but I'm here to be the best me that I can be.
Elder Kay has taught me that.

On Saturday Elder Kay and I setted up a stand in an area where people
sell stuff and it was an interesting experience. We just gave away a
lot of things and talked to some people about the gospel. We talked to
another drunk for an hour. Well, he did most of the talking. He was
kinda funny. When we were done talking he just grabbed my chair and sat
by our stand and started to talk to everyone that walked by. He was a
funny old man.

Latter on that day. We went out to go help a family in the church on
there ranch with their cows, whose last names are the Nicotines. We
helped put some tags on the little cows ears and brand them. It was a
lot of fun. We lassol them, so I'm starting to learn how to lassol. Its 
pretty cool. When they would lasso them Elder Kay and I would wrestle
with the little cows and take them down and hold them for branding.
They are feisty. It was awesome. Elder Kay is a pro.

So awesome out here. Love you all. I hope you guys are doing good.

Love, The Elder Jones