April 6th Chinandega

This week was a game changer for me.  Wednesday I went on divisions with my Zone Leader.  We contacted all day long.  He helped me so much and was very patient with me, but it was hard.  I stumbled and fell through sentences, but it made me realize I can't afford not to study and work hard to learn the language.  It's an ongoing process guys.  I want to learn the language and I've got to work for it. This week was the hottest week of the year, it reached 109 or 102, I can't remember. So, when we watched General Conference in English from the comfort of an air conditioned building, it was heaven! Way to go on going to the priesthood session together.  Things like that make me super happy down here.  The reality is you guys are freaking awesome, keep killing it back home.

Thank you so much for the help Dad, more often than not I feel inadequate down here, but the truth is I'm definitely growing.  My mission is very productive but tough at the same time.

Elder Smith   Elder Easton Scaggs 

 Some days are awesome but some day are really tough!!!!  I'm finally sort of getting the language.  I can kinda communicate with people, but understanding is a whole other thing.  Hayden, I am basically working in a place like the video game Jack 3.  Everyone is poor, but has motorcycles and spikey hair, it's pretty sick.

You gotta take pictures of your Disc Jockey stuff and send them.  Hayden thank you for writing me, you may not think I appreciate it, but when you guys, MY FAMILY, write it's like diamonds to me.  Pictures, words, you name it, I love it !!!!!!  Please send tangible photos in the next package!!! Hey mom, I finally got the packages!!!!!  Thank you a ton for the snacks and supplies, they will and are very useful!!!!  I especially loved the peanut butter power bars, those things are sooooooo dope.  I know I need to write you guys, so I sent my first letter to you today.  It's got some cool stuff for you guys, I promise.  I am finally starting to get things situated, and I am so incredibly thankful for your support.

Jocote

Photo of Haircut with Spiked Sideburns

This week I ate this thing called (ooz naca) it looks like diarrhea with the texture of tar, but it's so dope.  It's like a mixture of mango and this fruit called jocote.  It tastes like peach cobbler, and it reminded me of the father and son camp-outs we used to have.  We also had this crazy soup called sopa de marisco!!!  Basically it was soup with a ton of fat shrimp and stuff  with a whole fish flopped in the middle of it.  You guys would loveeeeeee it!!!!!!!!  I tore that thing to pieces.  I have come to realize that I am going to gain weight on my mission.  It is not my fault though.  I have tried everything I can to stay fit, but the odds are against me.  Our lunches and dinners are all fried in a very large amount of oil   We eat this odd type of cheese here that they pretty much drench in oil, I think that one is going to kill me.  So far my favorite food is pico de nueve, doughnuts, hot dogs, and enchiladas!!!  Last night I had a freshly made doughnut for the first time in 6 weeks, and I about cried.  Honestly I could have eaten 20 of those things.  Every time I eat american food here I lose my composure and scarf  it DOWN!!!!!