Let's Show our Strength

John 4:7-8
1. How I am.
2. Where I am and What I am doing.
3. Spanish.
4. My Family.
5. A Message of love, hope, inspiration, and dedication.
1. I am doing fine.  I pulled money out of my account because I found out that we are to have a reserve fund of cash just in case because ATMs are few and far between.  I have no needs and no wants.  Thank you for your packages.  I got both. The chances of me getting the Christmas one before Christmas is low so I will open it when I get it.  Speaking of Christmas, we are about to get a phone call home.  I think it will be on the 24th or 25th but I am not sure yet.  I expect that I will know soon.
2. I don't know what to expect about transfers.  I will probably stay here but I may get a new companion.  Who knows what is going to happen?  It is a nice cold 70-80 degrees down here and so I send my Merry Christmas from a better place it sounds like ;).
3. Spanish is still hard for me.  I find I am understanding the large details now but I miss the fine ones.  Often the fine details are the important ones.  But 'Poco e Poco', a saying here that means you will get there, for now, take the little steps and be proud!
4. To those who are having a hard time I send my words of encouragement.  These times do not last forever.  They are short and after God sends an outpouring of love and blessings!  I urge you to continue to do what you know to be right and never falter!  Be strong, for if we act strong one day we will become strong!  Fake it til you make it idea, don't mix this up with not changing.  Changing is good and needed, but know where you stand and never change your footing.
5. Love, hope, and dedication.  This goes to my family in particular. I wish to send my love and faith to you.  We have made it through harder times. At least we are together (well, sort of, but you get my point).  I am reminded of a saying I just read...
"Love the crap you got, hope for less crap, and be dedicated enough to turn the crap into diamonds. Get past this crap!"
We are strong and that is why we are challenged.  Now let's show our strength and band together to get over this hard time. Never give up!  Molon Labe.
Love and miss everyone!  -  Elder Cazier
To Dad,
... I was feeling down. We had been knocking doors for the last 3 or 4 hours.  We were having little to no success.  We had been spit at, cussed out, doors were slammed, the suck was real.  I was hurting and I could tell that my companion was somewhat as well.  We walked up to a store and saw that the owner was reading the Bible.  I took this as a sign.  I started to say the words that I knew, but I did not get far, I looked to my companion for help but he was not ready to give another approach and was just shaking his head at me.  I was then chewed out in Spanish by the store the owner.  I was at a low and when I said this my companion responded very strangely, I said "I'm a failure right now." he said, "Self-pity is going to do you no good, if you want to quit, go home".  I was so mad when he said this.  I expressed myself later when I had cooled down.  "I am a CAZIER, I never back down and I never quit!"
I ask, who are we?  I ask, what do we stand for?  And I ask, is this as bad as it gets?
I know we have been through hard times.  Now we need to buck up and get through this.  Let's do it!  I am away right now, but I am still pushing myself beyond what I am capable of.  Let's all make this the best time we can.  Enjoy the crap and work to get beyond this time.
Bring on the Suck!  This is a phrase that you once said to me, dad.  I say it back.  We know pain, now we can rise above it.  Don't let the world get the better of us.  We can stand against the world if we have to.  Don't let yourself get broken.  If I can learn Spanish, we can get over this!  It's hard but that doesn't matter. We can do it!
I  love you and miss you.  I want nothing but the best for you.  I am hanging in there.  I am not going to falter.  I am here and I am here for good.  There is no way I will give up now.  Go hit the grind.  Once again, I love you, I miss you, I am praying and fasting for you.  Know that I will always love you and support your decisions.