Alive and Well in Texas!!

Hey!!! 

Texas is awesome. I love the US. The last week at the CCM was so amazing, but the first day in the Dallas Airport was great, because I got my first McDonalds in forever, and a random Brother from North Carolina bought all three of us lunch. It was awesome.

Anyways, this week has been so great!! I got my first area (Los Ebanos, Brownsville) and I'm living with my companion and the zone leaders in one of the only 4 houses in the mission. My bike is freaking awesome, even though I haven't gotten a chance to ride it yet because we're in a car area, but I still love it. 

My first day we had a lesson with James Piña, and my comp told me he had a baptismal date for next Sunday, and we needed to teach him the word of wisdom because he had a drinking problem. So we went over there and taught him some stuff about the word of wisdom and asked him to quit drinking, and he said he would only if we have one last drink with him. 

My comp and I looked at each other not really knowing what to say, and he went and pulled out three glasses of what he said was tequila and pineapple juice, with salt around the top. He handed us the glasses and before we said anything he said cheers and started drinking. I looked at my comp and he looked at me, shrugged, and started drinking too. I had no idea what to do, so I just sat there and looked at the glass, until the two of them busted up laughing. 

Apparently James was a member for ten years and went on a mission, and the drink was really just Pineapple soda...it was pretty funny, even for me.  So that was the day one prank they played on me. 

I've already gotten about 40 ties from people that don't want any more ties because they're sick of ties. Did I mention ties? They are pretty huge down here, they know brand names and stuff and trade and all sorts of things that I have no idea about, but it's cool. 

I've been doing really well (according to my comp and zone leaders) managing my money and eating, and they've stuffed me full at a bunch of members houses. We went shopping for groceries my first day, and I got a 3 liter of Dr. Pepper...I love Texas... It's been great. 

I can't wait for the rest of my mission, it's gonna be great.

Elder Packer