Week 21

So nobody emailed me asking for anything in my last will and testament which honestly I find kind of insulting. I’ve got some sick stuff.  But I’m going to be selfish and take it all to the grave with me. Yup, I’m that kid who is taking his ball and going home.

First question I’m sure you all have is if I’m better. The answer to that is yes, but I’m still very sick.

Also due to some unexpected circumstances there is not a whole lot to blog about this week as I didn’t leave my bed once. Check that, I went to church and to lunch on Tuesday so Elder Anderson could eat.

So as you all know, I was sick starting last Sunday over a week ago.  Well Monday, I still had a fever running around 102 - 103 all day. Tuesday I started busting out American drugs because this Paraguayan crap just wasn’t cutting it. Well Wednesday I was feeling real bad and looking like another day of just resting or laying in bed because I can’t sleep.  I haven’t slept more than 3 or 4 hours in days.  But I digress.  Well I went to the bathroom and then on my way to take more pills it all kind of went black. I lost all balance and I stumbled, catching myself from hitting the floor and somehow making it to the study room. I told Elder Anderson that I needed to go to the hospital so we called some members with a van that came and carried us there. 

Meanwhile, I again have a temp of 103.  Well when I get there, the doc informs me that my temp is now 41 celsius or 106 ish.  So they inject me with some stuff, and I’m sitting in the chair and he’s doing respiratory checks and stuff to try and find out what’s wrong.  Then he starts yelling at me for not coming in days earlier. Anyway, as he’s doing his checks, he finds bacteria on my throat -- strep.  For some reason, my throat hadn’t been hurting but that was the problem.  He ordered a penicillin injection and we were gonna do that as soon as he finished his checks when I suddenly can’t breathe. 

I tell Elder Anderson I’m gonna pass out.  So he grabs smelling salts and revives me a bit and then puts them in my hand so I can do it. The only problem is I can’t lift my arm.  So naturally I start freaking out.  Elder Anderson and the doc basically carry me to a table in a different room and throw wet rags on my head and chest and are just trying to cool my temp as I’m cooking.  Eventually Elder Anderson leaves to go get the penicillin.

So Hermana Selva, one of the ladies in the ward, came in and took over towel switching duties.  Oh ya, in the same room is a girl who is OD-ing.  Ya for hysteria.  So I finally get cooled down and moved back to the first room where they inject me in the butt with the penicillin, tell me to wait like 20 minutes, then I’m free to go.  The doc gives me some other drugs to take. 

Anyways, while I’m in this room a guy comes in handcuffed to be treated.  Just a typical day in a hospital, right?  

Anyway, we get home, Elder Anderson makes some tomato soup and sandwich. I eat it, pass out, he wakes me up to take my pills, and I pass out again. This process basically lasted two whole days.  I really don’t remember anything for like a 36-hour span. Like no memories at all. Kinda freaky. Anyway, the fever is gone, strep is gone, but I’ve got a gnarly cough so I get prescribed some cough syrup.  And this is some good stuff, by the way.   

I was ordered to stay in bed and rest, so I did that till church.  And since I can’t sleep at all, I’m really weak and tired all the time. I still have the cough and a terrible headache, but I believe I’m on the mend. Although after a week of bedrest, I have lost all muscle tone that I had been trying my hardest to save. I look terrible. I wouldn’t date me. And anybody who knows me knows how unlikely those words would have been. Haha.

Anyway, I’m gonna take it nice and easy this week and work back into it. We’ve got exciting things going on if only I can leave my house.  And I really hope I can soon because the bed is starting to smell terrible. 

I’m going insane with nothing to do.  These are the days I miss video games and movies. I’d kill for some Halo and Mountain Dew with Nik Wong and the boys or some FIFA with anybody. Haha. 

Well I’m outta time.  Hopefully I survive one more week, and I’ll be able to fill you in on my adventures next week.

Take care of yourselves. You guys are on my mind.

 

Elder Frost

Week 20

So, this letter was going to have an entirely different spin until yesterday.  Don’t worry, I’ll get back to the good happy stuff in a little bit. But first, the horribleness of yesterday and so far today. 

After 4 months in a South American country, I have decided Americans bodies are not meant to live down here. Or at least mine isn’t. After the dengue scare of 6 weeks ago, I got hit hard again yesterday with the same symptoms. Fever over 102, insanely strong headache, cough and just overall body weakness and pain. After we got home from our lunch cita yesterday, I was dead.  So, we went home and I crashed.  But of course, I couldn’t sleep because I had shock or chills or whatever you want to call it. Ya, I literally shook non-stop for 3 hours.  Despite taking ibuprofen, putting wet rags on my head, hydrating and putting on a sweatshirt to stop the shakes. That was effective until I got ridiculously hot and couldn’t feel any of my lower extremities.  So that got taken off and I managed to survive the rest of the night, alternating between heating my body up and lowering the temperature, as well as taking all the ibuprofen I can safely take and lots of wet rags. Needless to say I didn’t really sleep.  

I laid in bed all morning, doing the same treatments and got down to 100 and felt pretty decent besides the cough. Well after a 30 minute walk to the cyber to email you lovely, healthy people, I was tired but still not feeling ridiculously terrible.  So I bought a Powerade to stay hydrated and the longer I sit here the hotter I get and the more pain I’m in.  So I will probably be getting off soon, call the mission nurse, and go the sketchy Paraguayan hospital...again. Yaaaaay.

Anyways I want to end this part of the email with a bit of a testimony and my funeral arrangements.  Ya ya, you can say I’m exaggerating but you’re not here.

I came on a mission cuz of my faith.  I know I needed to, and I know the Lord had things for me to do out here. So I know in my heart that the Lord sent me to Paraguay to make myself a better person, to teach things I need in my life and to help the people I’ve met all along the way. And I’ve decided it’s going to kill me. Just kidding – haha.  But really, pray for me to not die or get sick like this anymore. Just in case.

Rachelle, you are in charge of my funeral attire.  I don’t care as long as my retro 4s are there and my chain is popped. Dad, you are in charge of food I don’t want this to be a stuffy depressing party so have Arby’s, Taco Bell and Panda cater. Nobody can be sad after that line up. Nik Wong, you’re in charge or music same thing nothing depressing I want wedding dance music. Lewis Polkow, your in charge of the eulogy cuz you’re the funniest kid I know and I know it will be good.  Brontay Dickson, you’re in charge of ice cream. Make sure no crap stuff gets there. And a little poor some for my homies…would be a nice touch. Grandpa Hadley, you’re the wood guy, so I want a coffin made of rich mahogany.  It’ll be glorious. Ideally, don’t bury me in Fairfield, but if that’s the only option I want a big freaking stature or a mausoleum. I wanna outdo the rich dudes in LA. (Note:  we took a trip to California for Christmas, and visited some cemeteries in Hollywood) and I want a funny line on the headstone.  Anything else.... oh yes mom…your only job is to not cry so much that my guests need submarine to leave. I think that’s about it.

I will be doing my last will and testament next week if I’m still alive so if you want anything… email me. Much love homies.

Now back to the week. It’s amazing how fast a week goes when you have things going on every night or everyday. For example this week we had zone meeting, trip to Hawaii activity, soccer activity, met a new Hermana (Sister Missionary) from the states, service, and of course all the visits and work we normally do.  We had some really good visits with Laiza Andrea Galdino and Griselda. Griselda has quit smoking, so that’s awesome.  But she didn’t come to church again, so her baptism got moved again. It’s so frustrating living other peoples’ lives.  

Also, we had a day where every single person bought us empanadas and of course you can’t say no.  But after the 8th or 9th you start to hate that taste.  But the people are awesome for doing something like that for us.

I also made the mistake of starting p90x again after 6 weeks or so off, and the abs hurt.  But that was nothing compared to the hip flexors for 2 days after my only joy was sitting down at a visit as my legs could rest.  We had a zone meeting where we learned some good stuff and we actually applied it in our teaching.  So that was cool.  

The trip to Hawaii activity was legit.  It was completely member set up, so that was sketchy but after a rough start it was awesome.  Like any Paraguayan thing, it started an hour late, but they had set up the chairs in the shape of an airplane.  Oh and Paraguayans have an insane fear of planes, so they played that up and made jokes and stuff.  It was hilarious.  The best part was Captain Soares (Branch President Soares) whose noises for the plane starting, turbulence and crashing were hilarious. Eventually we crashed, and a member dressed as an angel, led the people through 3 rooms prepped as the kingdoms of glory. It was way cool.   Then after that, it turned into a dance in the cultural hall.  Then we played musical chairs. Then there was an open mike night, with jokes. It was way awesome!  One of the best activities I’ve ever been too.  Especially when compared to the activity we set up two nights before.

We tried to do a movie night, but the projector wasn’t able to come on.  So as a fall back plan, we played soccer.  It was way fun and naturally it turned into Elders verses members.  And man, can those little kids and girls play ball.  

Also we met the new Hermana, and man do I feel sorry for her.  She has it much rougher than I did.  Her name is Hermana Megan MacFarlane from Utah.  She got a Latin trainer - ouch.  She speaks way worse Spanish than I did – double ouch.  And besides the fever, dengue crap I get, she has had a harder time with the food and sickness. But she’s tough and handles it in stride. She’s gonna be good and she’s gonna speak Spanish like a champ - much faster than me.

We finished the service for Hermana Elvira and she made us dinner.  She’s amazing! 

Also, since I started this blog off overly dramatic and hopefully decently funny, I’ll end with on a spiritual note.

I got some mail this week from my dad, and it had some stories about a former BYU basketball player and a high school football player in Texas.  And it showed me how I should have been, and how much of a failure I was in high school, concerning the church.  It also inspired me to talk with some of those people closest to me in my life that I should have at least talked to.  So if you are one of my good friends from high school or college, expect an email from me in the coming weeks. If you are not remotely interested… be nice.  I’m still you’re good friend.  And I promise I will never bring it up again unless you approach me.

I love all you guys that read my blog and I truly wish the best for you in your life. Take care of yourselves.

And y’all are invited to my funeral if the worst happens. Just kidding -  haha. Talk to you all next week.

 

Elder Frost

Week 19

Pretty busy and unusual week here in Paraguay. But here we go.

So it started off with the craziness of changes. Finding out that all of Rama 5 was staying was pretty exciting.

Don't ask...Don't tell.  The Zone waiting for changes



 

Then on Tuesday, we said goodbye to everybody in the zone that was leaving.  It was really weird to say goodbye to Elder Trevino as he was going home. It’s weird to think that people actually get on that plane and go home. Then it was really homesickening to think of how much time I’ve got left.  And missing a beefy 5 layer burrito. Dang Taco Bell.

Anyway, we also said goodbye to Hermana Sanchez from Panama who ate lunch with us at a member’s house every Tuesday.  She was way funny and a good missionary. I also took some infamous goodbye photos.  I have no idea if they will get put up on the blog or not, due to their nature but ya... (yes, they are above)

Anyway we also had a visit from Jehovah Witnesses which went terrible, as you can imagine.  They were not very nice to us, and it was early in the morning - 2 against 2.  I’m sure it’s not the visit they were hoping for when they knocked on our door.  Ha ha. 

Also, our landlady freaked out and came to our house at 6:00 am and banged on all the windows and doors for like 20 minutes until we decided enough was enough and got up. She wanted the rent - that we wouldn’t get for another 3 days.  Oh ya, the rent is not even due for 6 days, so I don’t know what her problem was.

Anyway, we did a game night for ward night where 1 tie is a mouse and the other is a cat.  If the cat catches the mouse, then somebody gets to draw on your face.  I can’t explain it well, but it’s highly entertaining.

Elder Anderson and I also made a trek out to Rafa’s work, as he has been working doubles and not coming to church, so we needed to talk. Anyway, it was a long walk. And, he works at a pay-by-the-hour motel that is sketchy. Anyway, it went good and he came to church this week, so that’s sweet.

Where Rafa works - aka...the pay by the hour motel. 

We also found a waterfall while out contacting in our area so that’s what the pics are of. While checking the waterfall out, Elder Anderson ripped his pants - like in half, so we had a nice walk back home to change before going out and finishing our lessons for the day. I was laughing so hard.

 

At the waterfall

 

We also did some service for Elvira. Her husband is M.I.A., for like a month now.  So she needed some help hoeing her yard.  No problem, right?  Well, I’m waaaaay outta shape and ended up having a very sore lower back.  But it looks good.  She also gave us some awesome snacks to eat during breaks.

Also, we seemed to finally hit a breakthrough with Griselda’s smoking.  We used a 15 step program missionaries use and also a big shout out to my former homies in Project Help and REACT:  Nik, Cam, Dominic and Lynsey.  We got some sweet smoking statistics from them that helped as well.  She has finally gone a whole day without smoking and, as far as we know, 2 whole days.   She can be baptized after one week, so fingers crossed.

 

Griselda signing her non-smoking contract.

Also a former Paraguayan missionary who knows Elder Anderl (also working in Rama 5) came on a vacation and offered us breakfast which was cool.  It was cool talking with him about how Paraguay has changed.  It made me think if I’d come back and visit.  Right now I don’t know, haha.  But after 2 years… probably.

Anyway that’s about all.  Love you guys. You’re awesome, and be safe.

 

Later,

Elder Frost

Still More Pictures from Pedro Juan Caballero

Ironic Sign - Prohibido Arrojar  Basura (Littering Forbidden)

L

Anthony on a stable bridge

River in Pedro Juan Caballero

Anthony trying to be Tarzan...or maybe just a troll

Waterfall in Pedro Juan Caballero

Week 18

So, this week went pretty slow for me.

But right now, it’s crazy nerve wrecking - because changes are tonight.  It means I may lose my comp. I get along really well with Elder Anderson, and we are having a lot of success.  So I don’t want to lose that.

Also, everyone is freaking out since we are losing 60 missionaries or so to other missions after this change and nobody wants to get moved.  (NOTE:  The mission was realigned and 2 areas from the North Mission will be going to the Asuncion mission – which is losing 2 areas of their mission to Argentina.)

But, back to the week.  It was a good week full of lessons and a division, which I hate but wasn’t terrible.

Also some soccer games took over the city. One of the cool things about being on the border with Brazil is that we have a lot of Brazilians in our area since it is way cheaper to live in Paraguay.  Anyway, one of those is an investigator named Micheli. She is 16 or 17 years old and really likes talking to us.  Besides the fact we are attractive white guys, she honestly wants to come to church.  We are just working on her mom to try and get them both there. Anyway, this week we were talking soccer, and I asked her to pick me up a Brazil national team jersey from Brazil.  So I’m pretty excited for that.  

Also, I had to do my first two health blessings in Spanish.  It was pretty crazy since I’ve never done one in English.  I got to do both parts -- one each time -- and nobody stopped me and I didn’t get hit by a bus when I left the house, so I must have done ok.

We made brownies and ice cream again.  Yes, it’s almost a tradition at this point.  Haha. 

We had a division where I was left in the area again this time.  I was with Elder Jenson from Colorado.  He was pretty chill.  It wasn’t a terrible day.   The only problem was that we were meeting some people I’d never met.  So we may, or may not, have gotten a little lost at points. But one time when we were asking for directions, this girl asked us to sit down and teach her, so we did.  She said she’d come to church if she got out of school early enough.  So the Lord was looking out for us.

Also we did a karaoke night this week.  I rapped some Nelly “The Champ.”  It was pretty awesome!  Although Elder Anderson’s rendition of “Smack That” and Elder Anderl’s “John Wall and Gentleman” may have stolen the show.   Elder Anderl is hilarious on that stage.

Also Olimpia - one of the main teams in Paraguay -- won a semi-final or something this week, so we had fireworks waaaaay into the night.   And then the classic game between Cerro vs. Olimpia was on Sunday.  So the whole city shut down to watch the game.  And in typical soccer fashion, it ended 1-1.

 

 

Excitingly, after all the work we’ve done, some of the Ojedas came to church this week, which is definitely a step in the right direction. So hopefully we can build on that and finish reactivating them.  Then we can baptize their children.

Also, we got paid 5 mil, or like a buck, for us to buy bread from some family we taught.  And trust me, we tried to say no, but they wouldn’t listen.  It felt weird taking money.  We also did a legit drawing activity for a Noche de Hogar (Family Home Evening) with the Blancas family.  I gotta say I drew a legit crocodile. Ha ha. 

Also we have been working with the Arguellos since I got here.  One of the aunts or nieces who has been way anti has been listening to us and invited us over.  We did a very, very good lesson with her.  It’s crazy the way the work goes out here.  

Also, one more month down.   Yes, I’m counting, and it’s depressing.   So sue me.

 

Love you guys and take care of yourselves.

 

Elder Frost

New Pictures

Tower in Pedro Juan Caballero

 

View from tower

 

Anthony on Tower

Elder Anderson eating Empanadas

Anthony & Rafa eating tacos at a ward activity night

 

 Elders of Rama 5 - Anderson, Frost, Plasencia & Anderl

 

Matias Soares at Mother's Day Parade

 Anthony with confiscated cigarettes