Welcome to Rio, RIO!

Well.. Elder Calder is in his very first SpAniSh speaking area. Yahoo for him! :)
He is loving it and is having a great time with his new companion.
Thought I would share his latest letter with you all:

Hey Family!!

Well, I am living literally a mile and a half from Mexico!! It's pretty sweet. So I am serving in the Del Rio A area. We cover a Spanish Branch and an English Branch. We share them with some sisters (it is car share but we let them have the car 6 out of 7 days so I get to ride bikes) It feels great to be back on the bike! I felt like I was out of shape. No, but really, it feels fantastic.

We have some good things going on right now. We are working on getting different people with some baptismal dates since we do not have anyone currently. But we are working hard. More news on all of that in the upcoming future, especially as I become more enveloped in my new branches. I have never been over a branch before! It's sweet.

So I am speaking much more Spanish than I was. Like for real, super more. We generally speak about 2 to 3 hours a day at least in Spanish, so I am loving it. I am no where near where I need to be in order to carry on a complete and full conversation in Spanish (especially when it comes to things that are not Gospel related) but I am learning. I am especially learning tons of new words, and I hope they stick because I want to soak up as much of the Language as I can.

Where we are living is actually super dope! We are living in a house practically! For real! The house we stay in is divided up into four sections (all divided by walls). There is ours (in the back), a side part, and then in the main house some people staying in the top floor and some in the bottom. There is so much room for us to run around and play and what not! All of our walls are actually cement (they look like dry wall though) so we kick a kick ball up against it tons! Literally we have a giant living room, we each have our own bath rooms, a big kitchen and then a big master size bed room! We even have our own mini courtyard thing! Oh, and there is a pool (not filled) in the back yard! Good thing I am a missionary, other wise that's all I'd do. It's sick. So we have tons of fun. Whenever we get distracted or anything we just throw a tennis ball against the wall or play volley ball against it, really whatever.

So, my new companion is Elder Zachary Johnson! He is sick. We get along great. It's kind of funny to have another "Elder Johnson" companion, but it's way fun. He is actually from Gilbert, Arizona and is friends with Elder Schwarz back home (cause that's where he is from too). So quite a small world! It's crazy. He was actually companions with Elder Bloomfield in the MTC, so we are all sorts of connected. I love him to death. He is actually about 4 months older than me so I kind of treat him like the Senior companion which is great. But ya, we have tons of fun. He actually kind of reminds me of Evan Wright (just a tid bit) so we were instant best friends. We laugh a lot and have a lot of fun.

So my new address is:
207 Wallen St,
Del Rio, Texas 78840

Well, I am gonna have to get going but I love y'all and just remember two things: Keep your chin up, and this church is true. Wish me luck with Spanish!

Elder Calder

PS Notice his new address!
Good luck Elder Calder!

Yo Me Voy a La Frontera!

Elder Calder is going to the border! This will be his very first Spanish-speaking area and we couldn't be more excited for him. He is really excited and said this in his letter this week:

Well, the big news is that in fact I will be getting transferred! I am super stoked (although super sad to have to leave) but I will going to the border!!! That's right, I finally will get to "blossom" in a Spanish area. I am going to try super super hard to learn Spanish since I never really know how long I might have. Anyways I am stoked. It'll be sweet to be by the border too because I am betting I will get to meet some interesting people.

Elder Calder has also been progressing with several investigators and so far has three baptism dates set up for the next two months. You are doing a wonderful job Elder. We love you!!

P.S. Pictures to come soon :)
P.P.S. Did you know that Elder Calder has only SEVEN months left!?! Yay!