Email 7-16-09 Subject: yo yo yo

So hey. I now have only 20 minutes to write. A whole lot of stuff went on this week so I'll have to be brief about them.So. First, we lost a teacher. Second, our district switched companionships. They are both related so I'll try to explain well.We have one Elder who is extremely selfish, complains a lot, and causes a lot of grief in the class. Most of the teacher thing was his problem, and the whole companionship thing was his problem. He was in a trio and bashed one both of them and made one of them really want to go home and have no desire to teach or try to learn Spanish. The teacher thing was because this teacher was very opinionated and he didn't like it. He got offended a lot, which was reasonableconsidering some things she said. A couple of time I even sorta debated with her on doctrinal things.. she was wrong a lot of the time. So there as a lot of contention with her and the other Elder. So she eventually got switched out with another teacher this week. He is awesome. Crazy awesome and I have to say I am glad. We will hopefully accelerate in learning. But the whole companionship thing was his problem as well. The elder who was in a tri with him that wanted to go home decided to stay. The president of our branch told him that he could change companionships if that's what it would take to have him stay. So now him and I are companions and thingsare going well. He is actually not too bad at Spanish, I guess the thrashing he took form the one elder really got to him. So I'm really trying to help him out and make him see that he is doing well and needs to be here. But every other companionship got switched around as well. Good switches too. I am very happy with them at least.But the funny/bad thing is that this whole district switcheroonie thing was very serious. I don't think it has happen much if ever at the MTC. That's what they said at least.Maybe they are trying to intimidate the one elder into obedience. Haha he sure needs it.Anyway. That switch happened right before we taught the first lesson in Spanish for the second week. The night before we got switched. So, in the morning we had to teach, and it went super well. I was impressed. My new companion, Elder Munson, used most of his Spanish right with a little help and we taught the lesson well. Oh yeah, the 'investigator' was Islamic. Non Christian, so that was a chore. But it went really well. This week we are prepping for Lesson 2 in Spanish. This will be a doosey. Anyway, I got great letters from Cassidy and Lana. So good to hear from family! I don't think there is much else to say.Things are busy, and the only way for me and some others to progress in Spanish is to speak it as much as possible. We have learned all the necessary grammar things. So all is well. But wo unto him that sayeth all is well. So I will say, most is well.. and some things will always need to be worked on. Love you all. Sorry if this letter seems unorganized, I am very pressed for time! Love love love ya'll. _Elder Smith