Pictures*

 ^The first couple pictures sent

  ^Week4

^Week5

 ^Leaning on a tree... Like a boss.

 ^The beautiful canyons of bucaramanga.

^The Zone! Each district consists of 3 companerismos, or companionships.

^Feeding the birds in the "Plaza of Justice" I believe it was.
What we did was throw some food down for the pidgeons,
and then hold some in our hand, and they'd fly to it and often fight over it.

 ^I'm wearing a fedora, fashioned after the Colombian Sombreros called Vueltiaos.
It's made of palm bark and can be folded, rolled up, and stowed in a pocket or
backpack. It's pretty neat, but I really don't wear it here to avoid looking like a tourist.

^A soccer Jersey of one of the local teams here called Athletico national.

I love this jersey, it's very comfortable and you can't but it in the US. HAH!

Updates

OKAY! So I've neglected this blog for three weeks too long. How's everyone doing?? I just learned that I'm allowed to receive emails to shene.patrick@myldsmail.net making your lives THIS much easier to send me your heartfelt messages to me. Hmmm news. Well there has been a lot of spiritual experiences here that I wish I could just post in one blog message. From now on, I will try to get at least one on here. I can only type so fast to so many people with only one hour yknow? So, this week we has an investigator, Laura, and her mother showed a very strong interest after we shared the restoration of the fullness of the gospel of Jesus Christ with them. I was able to share the importance of prophets throughout history in the bible, as well as in today's times, in Spanish! It was so great, and I hope they receive another visit. Unfortunately, I won't be visiting them again. Fortunately, I'm going to Bogota, where it's cooler, bigger, and fiesta!! (except, missionaries have their own way of fiestando{partying}) I'm going to have an english speaking companion, who's only been here for 6 months, so we'll need to work extra hard to learn spanish, but I know the Lord will help us overcome this challenge. I'm still here and kickin after all. I'll have much more to write next week. I'm looking forward to a 9 hour bus ride starting tomorrow morning, and a shopping spree for breakfast the next day. Oh spanish for the week. Have you ever realized that breakfast is break fast? Fast as in, fasting, without food. It's the same here. Breakfast is Desayuno, or Des Ayuno which literally means breakfast or break the fast. Caio everyone! Love you all!

2 Semanas en Colombia

Well... Where do I start? Aside from the jet lag and the 9-hour Indiana Jones ride to get here, I'm adapting quite nicely. Everyone loves a gringo!! :p Waking up at 6:30am has never felt better! The work here is good. We have 3 baptisms set in stone, and I already see how the Gospel of Jesus Christ (Evangelio de Jesucristo) has already impacted their lives, and the lives of each member of their family. Even though I'm soooo bad at speaking this language, I can feel it in the air of their homes. Colombia is so cool, the people here are very kind and generous. They don't slam the door in your face. The worst I've gotten is, "Soy catolico!! Estoy no interesado." (probably didn't say that right.) But that's pretty much an old lady saying that she's too involved in her church to hear our message. Which is okay. This is only the fullness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ after all. I'm working hard each day, and things are going great!
I also ask, please don't send me physical letters, or packages. I love them so so very much, but they only cause me stress and grief, I don't want any of the things your sending me to get stolen. Just hold onto them until after my mission, or send them to my home address for my parents to save up until my return. Until then, just email shene.patrick@myldsmail.net. I may or may not reply immediately, for my time is limited, but I will. I love you all and your dedication,
Vaya con dios:
Elder Patrick