Week 1 in the Field!

Hi Everyone, it's been a crazy week! I got to Bolivia at 4 in the morning and took a ¨nap¨ until like 11 in the morning, and then went to this super nice Italian restuarant. Ithen spent the rest of the day at the Mission President's house. We had what was basically an orientation, then did arts and crafts with Sister Rodriguez, while we had our first interview with President Rodriguez. We had a really good dinner at his house, and then spent the night at the apartment of the APs (Assitant to President). Then on Wednesday morning, we had a meeting with all the new missionaries and the trainers, and I met my trainer, Elder Rodriguez, a 23 year old Latino from La Paz, Bolivia. He's pretty cool and really nice. There is a little bit of a language barrier, but for the most part I understand him. It's all the other people that are hard to understand. I almost died from sheer frustration the first day, but I`m already understanding alot better and speaking better. I'm kinda quiet as you know, but I'm always observing. I listen as best as I can, and share scriptures during the lessons when I feel prompted too, and always testify of the Gospel. I'm trying my best to learn as hard as I can, and not get frustrated, because I need to have patience. My trainer thinks I'm learning super fast, so that's encouraging. It's very hard work here, but I like it here. I'm in the outskirts of the City, so people don't have as much money and are super humble, but are always willing to share their food and most of the time, listen.  My testimony is already being strengthened about Joseph Smith and the Scriptures. It's hard work, and I'm always tired, but I go to bed every night knowing that I gave it my all.  I'm trying to send pictures, but the internet here isn't very fast. I hope you are all doing well!

-Elder May

This is the only picture he was able to send, because the internet connection was so slow.  Next time, I told him, he needs to send the pictures first. :-)

Ward Activity
Elder May's new companion, Elder Rodriguez, is from La Paz, Bolivia

Trip to the mall

His First Area and His First Companion in Boliva, Elder Rodriguez

Nathaniel has arrived safe and sound to his new area, Las Americas 1, with his trainer, Elder Rodriguez, from Bolivia.

September 18, 2018

September 19, 2018

Safe Arrival of Elder May

Here is the email we received when Nathaniel arrived in Bolivia:

Good Morning,

It’s a pleasure to inform you that Elder May has arrived safely to the Bolivia Santa Cruz Mission.

Attached is a photo of the arrival of their group in the airport.

We’re happy to receive him and serve together with him in the Work of the Lord.

We are going to do everything possible to help him have not just a positive experience as a missionary, but an experience that will serve them for the rest of their lives. We will take care of everything we can for your faithful son of God.

Mondays are our preparation days and you will receive notices from your son weekly. We encourage you to write and encourage your son each week to faithfully serve a full-time mission.

We know that this is the Work of God and that Elder May will share this truth with many people here in Bolivia.

Sincerely,

President and Sister Rodríguez

President of the Bolivia Santa Cruz Mission

Final Week at the CCM

Hey everyone!

I can't believe that it's already my final week at the CCM! The experience has been going by both slow and fast at the same time, it's really weird. I've learned so much Spanish here, and have really learned to enjoy studying the scriptures. I leave Monday for Bolivia. I fly from Mexico to Panama, and then from Panama to Bolivia. It's about a 9 hour flight, so hopefully I'll be kept busy haha. Today, one of the elders in my district had his 19th birthday, so we had a party and ate a lot of the junk food we had together, so that was fun! I don't know when I'll be able to email again, because my PDay might change, but hopefully it's sooner rather than later!

-Elder May

Here is a bonus picture I found on the CCM Facebook page last week.  He is "teaching" his teacher.
September 8, 2018

One month down, 23 to go!

The title of this post was the subject line of his latest email:

Hi everyone! I actually have time to email you today, haha! So, there really isn't very much to tell you. I have been progressing in my Spanish very well. I can understand almost everything I hear, and can speak pretty well, as well. Although, I still have trouble with the grammar conjugations sometimes. I've started studying my scriptures alot more in Spanish, which is defintely different. It's kinda hard to understand sometimes because it's both in Spanish, and in biblical language, but I'm getting there! Today is my first complete PDay, and it's been so nice, because I've been able to have time to email, and play sports! I'm super excited to leave and go serve the people of Bolivia! Also, I can't believe it's already been a month, this mission is going by way faster than I thought! I hope you all are doing well!

Love,

Elder May

Here he is with the snacks we sent him.

This is his district.  They don't have any Sisters, so he says they can get a little rowdy sometimes.

Striking a pose

He's been doing a lot of studying in his Spanish scriptures.

I don't have the heart to tell him they're facing the wrong way in this Abbey Road tribute, lol.  Left to right: Elder Gray, Matthews, Madsen, May
September 7, 2018