Real World

Hello Family,

First off, I sure did miss Halloween with my family! I spent my Halloween night laying on my bed reading a book, but I did enjoy it. On some holidays we are supposed to stay at the apartment for safety reasons or something like that. I have been eating some really good Mexican food down here. Almost every person in my area is Hispanic and good cooks. Everything is going really good. The people are wonderful and I love the opportunity of meeting new people. We gave 5 Priesthood blessings from Thursday to Sunday. Many people are going through some rough times and I am grateful that we get to help them and comfort them! It's always a neat opportunity to participate in the blessings! I can't even tell you how grateful I am for my loving family and being able to live in such a good place. I feel that I am in the real world now and it is rough for so many people. I am humbled each day and always thank my Heavenly Father for all that he has blessed me with.

On P-days we go shopping and then we have Zone sports. That is where the whole Zone meets up and just plays sports all day and we hang out together. Yes we have a car, about half the companionships have cars and the other half bike. I probably will never ride a bike.

I am not using my Tagalog that much right now because my companion is an English speaking Elder. Within the next couple of transfers I will be transferred and most likely be a full time Tagalog missionary and not speaking any English.

Mitt Romney is coming to San Diego for something and he is addressing the Filipino people. They were looking for a young Caucasian male to give a prayer in Tagalog and so some guy at church came up and asked me if I would? I said I would love to. I need to get some more information on that, but that would be pretty cool to meet the future President of the United States. I love serving the Lord, it brings so much happiness into my life. I miss you all and wish I could spend the holidays with you!!! Thanks for all the love and support!

Elder Swenson