Q&A session

We didn't get any pictures this week but internet was very good on the day we talked.  We were able to get some Q&A session in.  It went as this:

Elder Stimpson:  Exclaiming how much he misses it in Utah.  He hates the climate in Dominican Republic- very humid and hot.  He never stays dry after shower.  He developed rashes on his arms from sweating so much.  He want to have snow, swimming water, and chill of Utah so bad.

Q: (Mostly mom)  Were you able to meet any deaf people?

A:  Yeah.  I found out that many deaf in Dominican Republic work as baggers.  I got to talk one in ASL.  I wasn't able to talk more because we had to leave.  But it was really cool.

Q:  Are you eating meals?  Do you have any dinner appointments with members?

A:  My trainer mostly teaches me how to cook Dominican Republic way.  He was upset with me when one day I cooked rice for him.  He hates white rice and had it cooked in proper way- spicy and mixed rice.  I am going to cook an American Hamburger for him before he leaves for Panama.  (His trainer was called to Panama so he had to wait for eight months for his visa to go thru.  He will leave within a week from now).

Q:  How did you get clean water?

A:  Our mission adds filters to every faucet we have in our home.  Kitchen faucet still leaks and because of it, our apartment floods on occasion.  It did flood other elders' bedroom.  Now, it really isn't a problem because they moved into a new home in their area.  This apartment wasn't in their area.

Q:  Are you able to sleep well?

A:  Sure.  My mission haven't added mosquito net to my bed yet.  It is very humid and wet where I live so I can't really sleep with cover.  My feet ended up being bit several times.  They will put mosquito net up this upcoming transfer.  I also want to put in a request with mission office that every missionary companions get an AC unit.

Q:  Did your towel work very well for you?  (Parents purchased him a specialized towel that can really dry you very quickly and dry quickly in any climate.  It can fold very thin and is packable in the suitcases)?

A:  Oh yeah!! I love it.  It dries very quickly in Dominican Republic.

Q:  Did you get to teach any people this week?

A:  Yes!  Because of my trainer, we befriended several families in the ward and they trusted us enough to introduce us to investigators/friends they invited to their dinners.  We were able to get more investigators that way than going on the street and trying to contact them.  The number of people we taught are very high within the history of our area.

Q:  Did you get your birthday box?

A:  I forgot to tell you two weeks ago that I did get it.  It just took two weeks to get to the office.  Because we live very close to office, we were able to get it very quickly.  (note to myself, it will take longer if Elder Stimpson isn't living close to the office).  I enjoyed them all.  I'm not sure if I can cook my birthday cake because oven wasn't working very properly.  My trainer saw a wrapped gift and became all excited, grabbed it and unwrapped it before I can tell him to wait.  (LOL, LOL).

Q:  How soon are your trainer going to transfer to Panama?  Because he is your trainer just for short time, will you get another trainer?

A:  We, in our mission family, call our trainers "father".  Yeah, Elder Veloz will transfer in a week and I will get "step-father".

Q:  How are you picking up with Spanish?

A:  I do better with listening.  I still have bad accent and I still speak broken Spanish.  When I listen to my trainer teaching in Spanish, I take notes of new words then go home to study in dictionary on their meaning.  I am improving very quickly and steadily.

Q:  Are you dealing with roaches?  It did concern me a bit because roaches can aggravate your asthma.

A:  No worries.  We are keeping our apartment very clean.  We had to clean a great deal because different set of elders lived in it and they left big mess.  We killed all of roaches and I just see one or two on random occasion.  We still do struggle to remove some marks from other dirty elders, though.  (MOM asked what mess?  Elder Stimpson said greasy and dirty kitchen cabinets they can't really clean very well.  Mom suggested that they use dawn dish soap, vinegar, and water to spray on and leave it for few minutes then wipe them down.)  Elder Stimpson proceeds to talk about how creepy roaches are.  Scrabbling on streets in late night when they walk home.

Q:  Did you get to see doctor about your tight muscles in your shoulder?

A:  No.  They don't have any doctor that deal with that sort of problem.  But I am doing better this week.  No migraines or headaches.  (MOM advises him to keep on stretching himself).

Mom proceeded to show him things in next box she is going to send to him.  She had to order them off Amazon, have them to sent to her house then she sends them via DHL.  No stores in America is willing to deliver to Dominican Republic.