Week 66 - Happy Thanksgiving!

hi,

guess what!  I´m tired.  Transfers came and went, and Elder Torres and I are still here in Central.  This will be my 7th transfer in Tapachula, 5th transfer in Central and my fourth with Torres.  I think the stress here is causing premature balding but its good for ya ha.  Just kidding.  My hair isn´t going anywhere.  I told my friend Elder Salgado before transfers that if the Lord decides to leave me here with my companion it means he trusts me more than I trust myself.  It's good to see that that is the case.  But honestly I´m so tired - the thought of 6 more weeks with my compy makes my brain hurt. :) But I love him.

Thanks for your emails.  They are a much needed weekly encouragment and I thank you for your consistency.  The work is wonderful in every sense of the word.  It is a modern day miracle that almost 90,000 have accepted the call to serve.  I love every missionary that stands beside me.  They inspire me.

Mom - Hi mom!  HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!  I hope you have fun in Hotlanta.  I´ve found, as you have, that the scriptures always seem to have the perfect answer at the perfect moment.  And of course, ´´great are the words of Isaiah.´´  This week I read chapter 60 - and I would highly recommend it. The Lord is hastening his work.  I must admit that a sense of jealousy intruded my soul when you said that you took the sister missionaries to Lulu´s.  You won´t be surprised to know that I don´t eat so well.  :)  But in ´´ the not-too distant-but-still-pretty-far-away future´´ I´ll be eating well again haha.  I love you mom.  Have a great week in the ATL! 

Dad - You always seemed to get hosed at work.  ha  I made myself laugh out loud with the use of the word hosed.  ha.  Thanks for the football update. That was entertaining.  NO!  Brian McCann was the only player that actually lived up to his big contract on the Braves (*cough* Dan Uggla *cough*). Maybe they will pull Jonny Estrada or Jared Saltalamachia back.  They were legit.  ha.  Where did you want me to go this transfer?  I´d like to hear your input.  I´m puzzled as to what to write... you didn´t send me any questions! Hope things go well up in Norcross.  Love you dad!

Roy - ha.  Hey elder bro.  I remember your story about your companion screaming a word that I wouldn´t repeat when he got his transfer calls.  I´m not so extreme, but I´m becoming more and more certain that I don´t want to marry a Mexican man.  So that's good...one less thing.  But anyway, we are making the best of our time here.  We´re actually having a good amount of success.  Happy Birthday to Ingrid. (Did you know the gas pedal clicks when you floor it? ha :))  I remember fondly the M5 road trip.  It was so fun.  Enjoy your Thanksgiving break.  Your Brit's joke made me laugh. Bueno- anyway. See you later.

Andee Dawn - your name is awesome.  Words cannot explain how I envy your 31 degrees indicated there on Ingrid.  Its so flippen hot here!  I can´t imagine that Roy went an entire week without a single delk-esque action.  You and Roy look great!  You´ll have to go back to Provo with me someday so we can delk around again!  Have a slamming semana.

This week we had a conference with Elder Valenzuela from the 70.  It was pretty sweet.  I got to play piano again; always good to entertain the GA´s - easy missionary points haha.  It was a fantastic meeting.  Our Mission President spoke and once again really raised my spirits.  He said that his missionaries are clean and powerful.  And promised the members that we can touch the hearts of their friends.  (In Spanish you don´t knock doors, you touch them.)  So president said. "I need you to invite your friends to listen to the missionaries.  I don´t want them touching doors - I want them touching hearts."  It's a big responsibility but I know that the Spirit can touch any willing heart.  I´m far from perfect, but I am clean.  And I know that I am but an instrument in the almighty hands of my Father. 

Love you fam,

Till next week,

Elder Clark Roth

Week 65 - Using the Shwartz

Hey,

Sorry about last week.  I didn´t realized that I didn´t send the completed letter.  My bad.  Anyway this week was good.  You´ll be pleased to know that I´m in an air conditioned cyber, yet still sweating.  I don´t know how I do it - it must be a gift.  This morning I helped move a water tank off someone's roof (I thought I was going to get crushed for sure) and then played some soccer with some other missionaries.  I´m not as bad as I used to be!  That said, I´m still a shame to the Roth name when it comes to playing soccer. 

My companion and I have been visiting a ton of families in the ward recently. In fact every single one of them.  Every week it seems that a different inactive family shows up at church.  So that's good.  We also are having success with our investigators - this week I got to go for a swim :)  I feel blessed to be here.

Roy - ha not too long ago Mom and Dad saw Knuckleball as well.  I want to see it when I get home.  (btw Dick Trickle is definitely a cooler name).  I can´t believe you went to your last BYU football game as students!  That's so sad!  I don´t ever want to graduate!  I´m happy that the semester is going well.  Enjoy your Thanksgiving break.  (Remember the game we played in g&g´s house when I burned my tongue?  haha)  Things are going very, very well.  I´m grateful to be a missionary.

Dad - I been in Tapa for 6 transfers.  :) We´ll see if I get another.  I hope you´re as obsessed with GC talks as I am - they are the best.  Your new bathroom sounds like a considerably nicer place to be than mine haha.  Mine gets worse every week :)  It's still pretty hot here, buts it's way nicer than it used to be.  From March through May it was soooo hot.  I would just drip sweat - imagine the crash landing in Airplane -  haha.  From June till now it's rained every day which is pretty unpleasant as well.  I´m so tired of having wet feet.  But they say that December and January are relatively nice.  :)  From what they´ve told me the US soccer team totally saved Mexico. Whenever the national team plays here everyone stops working and they crowd around the nearest TV.  People put their TV´s out in the street so more people can watch.  It makes teaching a bit more difficult.  ha.  I hope you have a great week.  Love you Dad. 

Mom - whoa.  That sounds like a pretty packed week.  I feel like I would like LA now.  But I´m still a bigger fan of tranquility.  I wanna live on a farm! haha.  Sometimes my head hurts so bad from the constant noise here in Central.  haha Thanks for commenting on my haircut.  Pretty sweet right?  I did pay for it but it was only 20 pesos - whats that, like $1.70?  The price in insults was far higher ha.  But it's grown back now, all is well.  Love you Mom!

Steph - Hey Steph - I hope you enjoy your trip to Dallas and the house that Jerry built haha.  holy cow!  I had no idea Sebastian Vettel was killing it like that!  I´m so down to go see the race next year!  That would be so so cool. Its tough to choose a favorite scripture.  I have lots.  But one that always comes to mind is Mosiah 2:41 (not too original but who cares.) 

And moreover, I would desire that ye should consider on the blessed and happy state of those that keep the commandments of God. For behold, they are blessed in all things, both temporal and spiritual; and if they hold out faithful to the end they are received into heaven, that thereby they may dwell with God in a state of never-ending happiness. O remember, remember that these things are true; for the Lord God hath spoken it.  

Wanna be happy?  Want spiritual and temporal blessings?  Wanna dwell with God forever?  -  Keep the commandments.  Well, hope you have a fantastic week.  Love ya Steph.

Well I guess that's about all for this week.  I don´t have my camera.  Thanks for writing me and encouraging me.  I appreciate your prayers, your mail, and your faithfulness. 

I know that this church is true.  There is absolutely no doubt about it.  The Book of Mormon is true and changes lives.  If you haven´t read it, read it! 

Love you all,

Elder C. Alan Roth :)

Week 64 - From Last Week

Hi!

First of all thank you for your emails, prayers and support.  I truly love you all. 

This week was good... no; fantastic.  We had a conference with our mission president.  This time it wa just our zone, nobody else.  It was soo good!  I was feeling a bit down but President Cardenas really helped me out.  He knows what my companion and I are going though and he acknowledged our faithful service in an area that he knows is difficult.

Dad - Happy Birthday!  Sorry you didn´t get to go to California.  That's a major bummer.  I´m glad you enjoyed my letter.  I love you!  Thanks for the questions.  I don´t know what I would write if you didn´t guide me ha. 

1.  How do you think you are doing on your Mexican accent?

     -Its going well.  Foreigners almost never speak perfectly, but everyone understands me.  A lot of people comment that I speak very well.  I try to speak Spanish like President Utchdorf speaks English - with an accent, but with an awesome accent!

2.  How often do you see Americans?

    - Pretty often, since I´m downtown.  There are tourists here about once a week and there is an American that owns a book store a few blocks from me. We call him the white guy that only reads and eats, because we have never seen him doing anything else.  I honestly have no idea what he´s doing here.

3.  What is your favorite type of tortilla?  Are tortillas still a big part of your diet?

    - They are all the same really.  There is one place that makes one that tastes better but it's kinda far away and we never go.  They are still my staple.

4.  Of the 4 Gospels in the New Testament, which have you enjoyed the most recently?  Why?

     - Which of your children have you enjoyed the most recently?  haha.  It's an impossible question.  But John ought to be recognized as the most insightful on most matters of deep doctrine. Chapter 15 is my favorite.  I always remember something Elder Holland said: ´´Christ said without me ye can do nothing - I testify that that is God´s truth.´´ I love it. 

5.  Describe the cars that you see driven around your area?

     - There are a lot of VW bugs. 

 Lots of Nissan Tsuru´s (they are the taxis). 

Lots of Nissan Urvans (those are the combi´s).  

And lots of Nacho Libre style tricycles.

6.  You never commented on that parking job I sent the photo of, did you get it?

    - haha yeah.  Classic Roth.

7.  Do you ever drink sports drinks like Gatorade or Powerade or that kind of stuff?

    - Almost never but they have them.  I´m addicted to milk though.  I used to buy 3 gallons of milk a week.  I´ve cut back on it a bit, but it's still my biggest expense.

8.  How often do you speak in Sacrament meeting?

     - Not that often.  I think I´ve done it 5 times on my mission.

9.  How often are you called upon to give lessons in Sunday meetings?

     - In this ward almost never.  In Tuxtla I taught every week.  In Vista Hermosa I taught about once every other week. 

10.  Of the people you meet and teach, are they long time Chiapias residents?  People have lived down there for a long time, so I am wondering.

      - Yeah, almost everyone here is from Chiapas.  It's rare to find someone from another state ha. 

11.  Look straight ahead of you, over the top of the computer monitor.  Describe what you see.

    - The wall.  haha.  It's painted red and yellow and the paint is peeling off the concrete.  And there is a sign that says ´´all types of pornography are prohibited.´´  So that's reassuring. 

12.  Is this too many questions for one letter?

    - No.  I like questions!

I love you dad!

Steph - haha, I was going to thow in an Elf reference last week but I couldn´t remember the quote.  But in short - yes, I struggle greatly with the temptation to say Fransico like Buddy.  Unfortunatly we don´t have bikes.  We just walk.  And combis.  Which is much more physically demanding than walking ha.  I´m glad to hear that Ty and Ry are starting their mission prep early.  There is no substitute!  Love ya Steph.  Say hi to Cody for me!

Mom - to answer your question of the day -  I have never knowingly eaten Monkey in the mission - that said, I almost certainly have done it.  I´ve definitely eaten meat unfit for human consumption ha.  I´m glad you're having fun in California.  Say hola to the Mexicans for me ha.  You do not know what a bad keyboard is...you have no idea.  Have a great Friday!  Congratulations to Jake.  I love you Mom!

Carly - As I walked in to the cyber today I wondered if you were still reading my blog.  You are the best!  Also, I gotta tell you that you made me laugh out loud when you said that ´´I try´´ to make my misfortunes funny.  haha - I guess I´m not succeeding... :)  You are an awesome member missionary! Want to come to Tapachula?  We could use a family like you and Jared.  Plus they pay 30 dollars a day for the translators that help the tourists out.  haha. Who can deny an offer like that!?  I hope things go well with your neighbors! Hang in there till you get to join the best workforce!  ha.  Love you Carly! 

Roy - Things are going really well.  Stay strong this last month of the semester!  Enjoy BYU basketball for me.   LEFT, RIGHT, LEFT RIGHT, SIT DOWN!  Keep those derivatives strictly positive and increasing. 

Andee - I knew that sooner our later the delk would rub off on you.  I seem to recall warning you ha.  Doomsday Bunkers is the best, right!?  Did you see the one with the banister that doubles as a flamethrower?  That's the best one. (in case Mikele reads this, don´t use dryer 10. :))  I hope things go well with your digital mission.  You are a star!  ha.  Love you AD. 

Caleigh Oliver - Hola! Felicidades por su llamamiento. Mexico le encantará. Espero que le haya gustado mi blog. Sí , estoy en Chiapas ahorita. Termino en agosto 2014. Le darán su Visa en el MTC. Mexico es lo mejor! Usted será una de las primeras hermanas americanas que sirve en Mexico! Disfrute de su tiempo antes de empezar la mision y prepárese bien. La mision será la mejor experiencia de su vida! 

O dear family how I love you.  I love to read your emails.  They always pump me up for another week of the good life.  

Week 64 - Happy Birthday Dad!!!!

(It appears Clark hit the send button too early, since the letter just stops in the middle of answering Rick's questions, and the Oops that came as a follow up email....)

Hi!

First of all thank you for your emails, prayers and support.  I truly love you all. 

This week was good... no, fantastic.  We had a conference with our mission president.  This time it was just our zone, nobody else.  It was soo good!  I was feeling a bit down but President Cardenas really helped me out.  He knows what my companion and I are going though and he acknowledged our faithful service in an area that he knows is difficult.

Dad - Happy Birthday!  Sorry you didn´t get to go to California.  That's a major bummer. I ´m glad you enjoyed my letter.  I love you!  Thanks for the questions.  I don´t know what I would write if you didn´t guide me ha. 

1.  How do you think you are doing on your Mexican accent?

     -It's going well.  Foreigners almost never speak perfectly, but everyone understands me.  A lot of people comment that I speak very well.  I try to speak Spanish like President Utchdorf speaks English - with an accent, but with an awesome accent!

2.  How often do you see Americans?

    - Pretty often, since I´m in downtown.  There are tourists here about once a week and there is an American that owns a book store a few blocks from me. We call him the white guy that only reads and eats, because we have never seen him doing anything else.

3.  What is your favorite type of tortilla?  Are tortillas still a big part of your diet?

    - They are all the same really.  There is one place that makes one that tastes better but its kinda far away and we never go.  They are still my staple.

4.  Of the 4 Gospels in the New Testament, which have you enjoyed the most recently?  Why?

5.  Describe the cars that you see driven around your area?

6.  You never commented on that parking job I sent the photo of, did you get it?

7.  Do you ever drink sports drinks like gatorade or powerade or that kind of stuff?

8.  How often do you speak in Sacrament meeting?

9.  How often are you called upon to give lessons in Sunday meetings?

10.  Of the people you meet and teach, are they long time Chiapias residents?  People have lived down there for a long time, so I am wondering.

11.  Look straight ahead of you, over the top of the computer monitor.  Describe what you see.

12.  Is this too many questions for one letter?

Oops

Week 63 - All I Do Is Win, Win, Win, No Matter What!

Hey Fam,

What´s crackalacking?  (I taught my companion that phrase and it's super funny when he says it ha).' On that note there are a ton of other funny things my comp says in English:  ¨JUDAS¨ (whenever something bad happens), ¨are you ready to die, sinner?¨,  ¨Girl look at that body,¨  etc.  I´m glad to hear that we´ve all survived another week ha.  This week was pretty fantastic.  One of our investigators got married, so she´ll get baptized this weekend. We also were led to a cool new investigator named Francisco.  He went to church by himself and is really interested. So that's good. 

It's the end of the rainy season here in Tapa. So for the next six months my shoes will stay dry!  So stoked! ha.  It's still pretty hot, but it's really not that bad anymore.  I´ve already watched ¨Joy to the World¨ a couple times to get ready for Christmas time.  Unfortunately, that's the only Christmasy thing I have and I´m already getting bored of it.  ha. 

Thanks for the emails. 

Dad - We do indeed have daylight saving time here.  I hope you have fun in cali. 

1.  Thinking of time, how's the digital Timex running?
1. My watch is going strong. Part of the plastic on it has decroded (as Napoleon Dynamite would say) and every once in a while it cuts me.  But it's all good.

2.  You said your toilet is not working...define not working
2. I´ll try not to be too descriptive but when I say my toilet doesn´t work I mean that it doesn´t flush. You have to get creative to get it to flush. sometimes it overflows...that's not pleasant.  I´ll refrain from explaining more. 

3.  What scripture story spoke to you this week?
3. I had lots of scripture stories speak to me.  One was from David and Goliath.  I love when David says ´´who is this Philistine to defy the armies of the living God!´´  I was also reading the Book of Helaman, and you gotta love Nephi there. Baptizes a ton, they all go inactive, baptizes more, they go inactive, prays on a tower (not sure why) ticks everyone off, tells the future, despite being right people don´t repent, God tells him ´´good job sport´´, etc.  Its such a cool  story.  there are others...

4.  Tell me about your sleeping arrangements?
4. My sleeping arrangement is pretty standard.  I have a normal mattress and sleep without covers and with the fan blowing on me.

5.  Tell me something about Mexico that you did not expect.  
5. Something about Mexico that I didn´t expect...that's tough.  I remember telling you guys that being here is like being in scout camp  but I really don´t feel like that anymore.  There is no residual culture shock, everything is normal to me now.  But anyway...I didn´t expect so much wickedness.  If the Governor asked me to come up with a slogan for Tapachula it would be - ´´Tapachula - Sodom and Gomorrah got nothing on us!´´  haha.  But I love them anyway. I really do love them. 

Congrats to M Mort on the mission call.  One of my friends, John Mather (my second semester roommate in fact), is in that mission.  It will be awesome!

Mom - I´m glad you got through the week.  Sounds like you gave a pretty killer talk.  Trials are seldom pleasant but very necessary.  This week I read verse 5 of How Firm a Foundation, it's awesome. 

When through fiery trials thy pathway shall lie,

My grace, all sufficient, shall be thy supply.

The flame shall not hurt thee; I only design

Thy dross to consume, thy dross to consume,

Thy dross to consume and thy gold to refine.

All trials do is burn away the natural man in you, they won´t hurt the heavenly you.  I know what I want for Christmas!!  I want a Red Ryder... jokes.  I want a USB memory.  Please, pretty please!!  and letters from the ward ha!  I love you mom.  Enjoy your less stressful week!

Roy - Thanks for emailing me!  541 is real analysis right?  How do you feel about the math major?  Worth it?  I look forward to hearing your grad school news when it comes.  The Red Sox eh.  I think that's a sign that you belong in Boston ha.  Thanks for rubbing in the fact that I don´t have a Bishop.  haha. Be \mathbb{Q} and keep it \mathbb{N}.  (Translation per Roy: Be Rational and keep it Natural)

Might I recommend a Mormon Message for you all.  Its called Earthly Father, Heavenly Father.  It's so sick! 

Well I suppose that's all for today.  Love you all. 

Elder Roth