Adios Elder Arko!!

Saturday, September 4, 2010

Message from Jana

So I have slacked alot...... Sorry Pat, but I have updated for the past month. Read on there are 7 new posts. again sorry everyone that I have slacked but I would go to the post named Aug. 2, 2010 and read from there to the first. I hope I am making sense :)

Sept. 4, 2010

ha well thanks a lot mom. you just made your boy cry in public :) sorry that Pres Angulo didn't call you but i think that the fact that he doesn't speak English and that it was kind of a spur of the moment thing that he didn't think to call ya'll. i am doing better then before, but i still am weak and my stomach hurts quite a bit still. the doctor said he's giving me some pretty powerful stuff and it should be helping soon with the pain. i can only eat baked veggies and baked fruits and a little bit of chicken. and of course i'm also drinking electrolytes :) i can't eat anything with fat, which is sad because here they eat pizza a lot :( its actually tough for me to eat (shocking, i know) cuz after i do, it hurts my stomach more. but the doc said thats normal. also the doctor said i have to rest for 2-3 weeks at least before i can even start trying to go tracting. so i'm here in the offices without a comp. very boring here without a television or at very least, a game boy. they closed Villa Ahumada which is very sad cuz we hade some amazing investigators there. but Pres said they were planning on closing it when he first got there. there just aren't enough missionaries here right now to have all the areas open. this last week was "cambios" which means transfers so a lot of changes have been going on. thanks for your words of comfort, i really needed them :) LOVE YOU!!!!

Trying to keep strong physically, mentally, emotionally, and most importantly, spiritually,

Elder Arko

p.s. i'll record a vid of the offices and send them to you next week.

Hi Patrick,
I'm not sure when you will be able to email again, so I am sending you one today. My heart ached when I read you had been in the hospital!! I wish your mission president had called us. When we heard, we called President LeBaron and he called your mission president. Of course he said you were doing much better, and I believe him, but I want to know HOW much better! Are you able to get out a little? We have been praying for you and I know that a lot of people have you on their minds and in their prayers, too! I imagine it will take some time for you to build up your energy level. Do they have you on some medication still? What did they give you? I read about amoebas on google and they are sometimes hard to get rid of. I hope they keep checking up on you and if you start having the same symptoms, you need to let the doctors know!! Don't try to brave it out on your own!!!
So who is your new companion and what is he like? Are they going to keep you in Chihuahua for this cycle or will you be going back to Villa Ahumada? I didn't realize that Elder Robles was so close to going home!! I'm sorry his last week was probably not how he expected it! Will you send us a video of more of YOU next time..we didn't even get to see your face :) Video you and your new companion and where you are living now. Try to show us some of the town of Chihuahua! I'm anxious to hear all about you new adventures in a new place, but don't over do it! Make sure you are feeling strong physically, (we already know how strong you are spiritually!!)
I put money in your account, but it looks like you might need some new shirts and such. Let me know if you need more. You want to keep a good appearance. Are you fixing your own meals? I'll bet you're still drinking electrolytes...are you? Just get WELL!!
Know that you have all the support in the world!! We love you sooo much! Remember that when things get rough.. (hopefully not any rougher than last week!!) Even more important..you are never alone. You will always be blessed even when you don't think you are! Think of all the things you have learned this last week!! See..everything happens for a reason and we might not even know what that reason is. We love you and pray for you. You are always in our minds and hearts! Keep your chin up and beat this thing! You will be all the stronger for it!! Lots of Love!! Mom

Moms letter to friends and family

Hi All,
So this is the reason we didn't hear from Pat yesterday. Just to update you, Fred and I called our stake president to see if we should call the mission president or what we should do to find out how Patrick was doing. He said that he would call the mission president and call us back. WHen he called back, he told us that the mission president had talked to Patrick a few hours ago and the he was "feeling much better!" They assigned him a new companion, but they are keeping him in Chihuahua to keep an eye on him. His mission president said "he has the heart of a lion" and is very determined not to let this keep him from serving. It sounds like things are going to be ok, but keep him in your prayers! Thank you all for your support and love! How could we do this without all of you! You are our greatest strength and we love you!! Thanks again!! Love, Nola and Fred

Aug. 31, 2010 (with a video)

well, sorry about not writing you yesterday. i was in the hospital. i'm not in Villa Ahumada anymore, i'm in Chihuahua now. but the story of this week. after i got done writing you last week, we went home and i felt even worse than before. the next morning we went to the clinic in Villa and the doc said i had an infection. so he gave me some meds and sent me home to rest. the next day it was worse so we went back to the clinic and a different doctor was there. he said i had gastritis and gave me different medicine. after two days that still didn´t help so we went to yet another doctor who gave me a shot, new medication, and said i had inflamed intenstines. (during all of this me and Elder Robles didn't work cuz i had zero energy. realize that sitting in a house with no television and no other source of intertainment is really boring for an entire week.) well, it still didn't help so Pres Angulo said to pack my stuff and get to Chihuahua. We figure i ate some ill prepared food or drank the water. yeah, that song is true. DONT DRINK THE WATER IN MEXICO. sunday nite, i was pooping blood, (sorry kinda graphic, you can edit that part out if you want) so they sent me to the hospital. i've been in there since sunday nite and just got out at 2. The doc there gave me an I.V. of who-knows-what and it helped. i am still really weak cuz i've had the runs for an entire week, but i am starting to feel better. he said i had a swollen colon and emebas(?¿). there were a bunch of companion exchanges this week cuz its the end of the cycle, and Elder Robles went home cuz this was his last week. so for right now i don't have a companion. i'm solo. wierd right?? oh yeah, i also now weigh 170 pounds. that means i've lost 55 pounds since leaving home. yeah its rediculous this week really did a number on my cuerpo (spanish for body). please put some more money on my card because i had to buy medicine this week and i think i only have like 10 bucks on it. ha love the pics. those uniforms look pretty sweet. and Em is just as cute as ever. ;) so yeah thats about it for this week. Trying to keep my head up, but its hard when i've been this sick. :/ i hope that i can get out and tract a little bit this week, but who knows. hopefully my next letter will have a little better news than this one did. love you all

Elder Arko

Hey Patrick!
Please tell me you are feeling better this week!! You have been in lots of prayers and a lot of people have been concerned about you. I know it is hard to function and do the things you are suppose to do when you feel lousy! Who do you talk to about what to do when you can't get to the doctor? Well, stay health so that your spirit stays health!! How is everything else?? Are you getting out teaching like you hoped to? Are you getting along with Elder Robles? He seems so nice and fun to be around. I think you could get along with anyone!
So this week went kind of fast. It was the first week of school and it was fun to see all the kids. Tomorrow is Ryzer's first day in kindergarten. He got in to Kathy Huber's all day kindergarten. He is real smart and I think he will be able to handle school for a full day. I think he is very excited! Kyler is in Carrie Foley's class. She moved from 3rd grade to 2nd grade this year. He will have a great year, too. It sounds like Crista's kids are doing great, and Crista sent me a text pic of Emilee heading to her first day of pre-school. So starts another year!! As for me, I start classes this week. I'm taking 2 English classes and the one I am most excited about is a geology class. I am hoping to have some field trips up around Jensen and toward Flaming Gorge seeing all the cool rock formations up there! We'll see how all that works out!
There are quite a few people in the ward who continue to ask about you, so I know you are in a lot of prayers. I talk to Kathy and Susan about their missionaries and both Brad and Ryan are doing great! It's good to talk to them and compare stories! By the way, Kathy Wilkerson told me she sent you a letter. She sent it to the mission home, so I don't know when you will get it, but she said she wanted to tuck $10.00 in the letter and decided not to. Then she gave me the $10 to put into your account. So maybe you could send her a little thank you. I got her email address so that you could just email her a quick note. kasw9@hotmail.com She always asks about you!
We had a cool lesson today in Sunday School about missionary work. Whenever missionaries are brought up, it makes me think of you and the good things you are doing...not just for now, but things you are learning that you will use your whole life!! I know I have said it before, but I am so proud of you and the dedication you have in serving the Lord. You are a hero to your nieces and especially your nephews. It is so cute to hear their prayer, even over the food, but you are in those prayers! I hope you realize the influence you are having in their lives as well as those lucky people in Mexico! So how often do transfers come...did your mission president give you any ideas?? Well, it doesn't matter where you serve, just that you put your all into the service! We love you and can't wait to hear from you again tomorrow! (I'm writing on Sunday night) Have a good week and know that you are loved so much and always in our thoughts and prayers!! Love you Lots!! Mom
P.S. I forgot to ask you if you need more money on your card. It's you Mt. America account..right? Let me know if you need some dinero!! (That's Spanish for money...I think!) Oh, yea..you wanted to see the new jazz uniforms? There are probably better pictures of the uniforms, but ...one of the pictures is the uniforms and the other is the text pic of Emilee. Love you again!

Aug. 23, 2010

haha love the pics!!! looks like i missed out! haha so when you said andy came out with the two girls i was like, well, theres cayman, and andy.... and i forgot about cali!!!! well, i didn´t forget, i just didn´t remember ;) wow, i thought you just got out of school and its starting again??? crazy stuff.... well, an update on me: just when i think i'm FINALLY getting used to the food and stuff, i get sick again.... :( i´ve had some HORRIBLE stomach issues this past week and nothing is helping.... i took out a whole pack of immodium and that worked about as good as chicklets. (that means it didn´t help at all) so i´ve been on a bread and electrolyte drink diet. (and it isn´t very yummy) hopefully it´ll all get better soon!!! we walk everywhere and no we don´t usually get rides. its probably why i´ve lost a ton of weight. i don´t know if i told you but i had to buy a new pair of pants cuz these other ones ripped.... like down my thigh so i wasn´t able to stitch it or anything.... i think it had sun rot.... just guessing.... and i wear a 34 pant now so i just can´t stop loosing weight. i eat a bunch of cheese cuz Villa Ahumada is known for its queso. really, its like the wisconsin of mexico. so there are a lot of quesadilla's and meat in my diet and i still lost a ton. weird. the prominent religion here is Christian.... which i thought was everyone that believes in God but its not.... its a church. they pray to Guadalupe and Mary which is really easy to teach about cuz thats taught in the 10 Commandments!! seriously, read 2 nephi 31, 3 nephi 11, and 3 nephi 27. these are the scriptures we can teach our first lesson from and its a pretty plain and simple message. they´re pretty much able to teach themselves with it. i´ll record a vid next week and try to send it off to you but i make no guarantees. well, i think thats about it so i love ya´ll and miss you a ton!!!

Elder Arko

Hey Pat,
How are things this week? We loved the pictures you sent and congrats on your first baptism! I'll bet it was a special day! I am so glad you had the spirit with you and could baptize this young boy. I hope you have many more opportunities to do this. The pictures that I am sending you is just a continuation of last weeks pics. These were the other ones I wanted to send you of the family reunion. So Megan and Brent came out this week. It was so good to see them! It's great to be able to Skype, but you can't get the hugs and kisses like you can in person! Andy decided to come with the two girls (Larry had to work), so we had all the grandkids here together!! We had a great time..playing games,swimming in Vernal and ..of course..Cafe Rio! The girls all came and helped me in the library, too. That was such a help to me! It turned out so cute! I'll have to send you pictures of what we did and pictures of all the grandkids! The girls got them all together and Megan took some cute pictures...so I'll get some copies and email them to you next time.
So tell me what is going on there? I'm not going to send you any packages..but just know that I want to!!! Do you need money on your card now or should I wait til closer to Christmas? Do you need anything in particular? I hope you are continuing to feel better and getting more use to the culture! You should get some Gatorade
or something like that to give you the things your body needs. That's one thing I had sent in you package...but anyway..that might help. Well..school starts this week and then I have college classes the following week, so we will pretty much be back on a regular schedule. How is your schedule? Do you have to walk to all your appointments or is there someone who drives you around? I imagine you do plenty of walking!! How many investigators do you have right now? I'll bet it is a challenge to find those who want to listen to the gospel! Is Catholic the prominent religion there? It's always hard when there is such a prominent church other than ours. But don't let that deter you!! You have the truth and that is yours to share! I love to read your testimony and I feel your spirit and the love you have for your mission. You are a wonderful example to everyone!! Thank you and stay strong and work hard to be the best you can be. We love you, you know that, and we think of you daily!! Send us another video when you can..maybe of what Juarez looks like. Well, I'll let you go for now and we'll hear from you tomorrow. I'll send you more pictures next week of all your nieces and nephews! They miss you and talk about you a lot. Work hard and keep up the good spirit! Love you lots!! Mom

Aug. 16, 2010

Hey Elder Arko!

How are things this week? It was great hearing from you last week! It seems crazy that August is half over with. Crista is here at our house this week. They wanted to have one more time before everyone started back to school. She is going to help me get my library decorated for this next year. I'm so glad because I don't have you here to help me hang things. I think I am going to do the farm theme this year again. It's been 5 years since I did that one so I don't think too many will remember it. I can't believe its time to start school again. It officially starts on the 24th, but we have faculty meeting and everything this week, so it feels that we are back! Do you know how the schools work down there? Do they start about the same time we do or is it completely different? It would be interesting to know! Megan also made a quick trip out, but Brent's family is in Jackson Hole, WY so they stopped there first. They are suppose to be coming tomorrow or Tues. It will be great to see them and the kids again..they won't be able to stay long, but it will be fun to see them. So how is everything going for you? How has the weather been? It seems I have heard of quite a few storms that have been passing through that part of Mexico..do you get enough rain to cool things down or does it just get muggy? Have you been to Chihuahua lately? I wondered if you had gotten any of the packages we sent a couple months ago?!! I know you said not to send packages, but that is a hard concept!! Especially with thoughts of Christmas time. Maybe you will be transferred to an area that might be more likely to get packages to you. We'll see... You haven't sent any pictures for a while. We sure like getting them and I hope you will send a few this week or next! Another video would be great, too!! I tried to sent you the video of our Amazing Family Race, but it was too big. I'll try to send just some pictures and I think I am going to try to send the letters everyone wrote to at the reunion and send them to the Chihuahua address you gave me a few emails ago. We'll see if you get them. Did you ever get my letter that went thru "Dear Elder"? That was clear back in June, just as you were getting to Mexico...I just wondered. It sounds like you are busy with investigators more now than traveling..do you get to track more now? The changes sound a little strange, but it must be for a reason! I hope you don't totally revert to speaking English since you are teaching those people from Kansas. What are they down there for? Is it business or pleasure?! That's funny that they don't know any Spanish!! Maybe you can teach them some of your Spanish speaking tricks! I hope you are finding opportunity to teach a lot in Spanish, too! I'll bet you are getting quite good at it! Keep up the good work! Well, I sure admire you conviction and courage!! You are a shining example of what can happen with a little commitment and faith! I am so proud of you and I hope you know how much I love and miss you! There are times that I feel I am sacrificing a lot just having you gone ( a little selfish, I know!), but if you can do it...so can I!! I love to hear of your experiences and it makes me feel I am a small part of your mission, too! Stay strong and faithful!! You continue to be in our prayers and I know you are blessed because of you diligence! Love you lots!! Mom

haha thanks for the pics. and mom, i'll still be in Mexico. no matter what area i am in i will forever be here for 20 more months. once again, DO NOT WORRY ABOUT SENDING ME ANY PACKAGES. I WILL BE FINE WITHOUT THEM. YOU WILL ONLY BE WASTING MONEY SENDING ME PACKAGES. E-MAILS ARE THE ONLY SURE THING THAT I WILL RECIEVE DOWN HERE. i haven't even gotten your dear elder so packages are an even bigger no. there are no secrets to sending packages, so don't worry about it. put some money on my card and i will take myself christmas shopping. ;) ok, back to your letter. wow, school is already starting??? you just barely got out of that place and they're throwing you back already. sounds like everyone is having fun tho!!! school down here is a ton different but i think they start on the 23rd or 24th too. during rainstorms its perfect for me but after its humid and muggy and stinky. honestly it is very unsanitary down here. update on the Americans. they went home so i wasnt able to teach them again. but we taught their family that is here, who are mexican, and they are our new investigators!! its pretty cool how the Lord works. its a lot better to look back at how the Lord works, then to worry about trying to figure him out, if that makes sense. its better to watch his blessings in your life then trying to find out how to get blessed?? if that clarifies it at all..... its hard to talk over the internet.... anyway new update, i got my first baptism!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! his name is Louis Carlos Velarde Garcia!!!! and he is 11 years old and really smart. we first started teaching him like a little kid, but we were able to talk to him with some pretty deep doctrine. he was asking the questions and we didn't want to get too deep but he was just a sponge and loved all of it. it was cool being able to baptize him. i have learning problems like memorization and stuff, cuz with the prayer, i couldn't remember it for the life of me. but when the time came, i felt the spirit and i was able to go through the prayer flawlessly, and i don't even remember it. so i know that was when the spirit took over. i love the Gospel. its true. i know that its hard sometimes here. its draining physically and mentally and emotionally. but its all for God and with him, i can do anything. without him, i think i'd have already came home. honestly, its tough but i can turn to him any time. there have been a ton of times where i've looked back into the sand and there are only one set of footprints. haha probably throughout these entire two years. i'm soo happy for this opportunity i have to be an instrument for the Lord. i know this Church is true. and i love the book of mormon. right now, it may not seem like its worth being down here, but i know that i'm doing the right thing. I love you family and can't wait until i get to see you all again!!!

love Elder Arko