Monday, July 1, 2013

Probably never going to drink Mate

June 17, 2013 ~ Yep, it’s another email chat with Elder Ethan Merrill. I LOVE these opportunities to talk with him and talk about little, every day things that we don’t always think about in our weekly letters. After our chat, I did go online and look up Mate and yeah, I don't blame him for not trying it! It definitely sounds like an aquired taste, lol.

Mom: Hey son!!!!  Hooray for another super letter from you! Yeah, I bet it is chilly there! Do you have any good hot cocoa to warm you up in the afternoon or evenings? Do you want me to send any more in your birthday box? Well, actually, by then you will be halfway through spring, so maybe not, lol. As I said earlier, we will be in the low 100's all week. It's funny to think our seasons are opposite. We sure love you lots!!! Yeah, it isn't too drastically different, the house, so don't worry about not recognizing it. Ok, just want to say hi so you know I'm here, I'll write more when you are done with any other letters. LOVE YA!!! Mom
Elder Merrill: Heya mom, It is pretty chilly here, but I have some hot chocolate and something like it called Malta here, so I have something warm if I´m ever cold. Those socks help out a lot! I hope you know how much I´m thankful for the things that you sent me because  they definitely help now! I don´t have any ideas for a birthday box, but I´ll let you know.  Love you lots too! Sorry it was late, I was writing dad a little, let me know if anything else is new! Love you lots!
Mom: Hey son! No problem, I know you are writing others so don't worry about that! Bro. Madsen was asking me last week if you knew about Malta, he says it is the national drink of Argentina, lol. But he says it tastes like grass or wheat or something like that, what is it exactly?  Thanks for writing Dad, I know he loves to hear from you! Yeah, it's a quiet day here. I did all my errands and swimming earlier so I wouldn't have to be out in the heat.  That is funny, going in circles on the bus. It is good though that you know some of your general area enough to realize you were going in circles! You are amazing son!  So your new companion is from Argentina. Do you all speak Spanish a lot when you are in your apartments and out on P-days too? I still can't get over your Spanish, it's awesome! How do you do with general conversations for shopping or other non-gospel tasks? What do you guys do on the beach? Bring me home a small rock from there!!! lol   Sure love you son!!! oxxo Love Mom
Elder Merrill: That´s MATE, that´s the national drink. We don´t drink it but it´s in the bloodstream of the Argentines. My companion wants to learn to speak English, so I´m going to help him with that, but yeah, we speak Spanish a lot. Yeah, getting lost was an adventure, but we got our general senses back and were able to walk to where we needed in order to get home. I speak Spanish a lot and am able to do pretty much use it where ever. We just took some pictures on the beach really. I´ll have to find a shell or something, don´t worry, I´ll make it authentic and not something I just bought in a gift shop. LOL. I gotta go soon, I´ll tell ya when.
Mom: That's right, Mate, I couldn’t remember the actual name. Have you tried it yet? It doesn't sound appealing, lol. Grandma was on the phone and said to tell you hi! Yep, any pebble will do, as long as it is from your mission! :) I know you will have to go soon so I want to say I love you LOTS and I hope you have a super week, in case you have to go soon. That is good that you can help him with his English and he can help you with more Spanish. I am just truly in awe of how well you are doing as a missionary! Tell your investigators hello from us, lol. Sure love you lots! :) oxoxox
Elder Merrill: Hey I´m super sorry, I don´t have a time for a return reply so I´ll see you next week alright? I´ll tell you all about mate and the people, just know that I hope that you have an awesome week and that I´m praying for each of you and that I´ll see ya next monday! I sure love you all! bye!

               -Elder Ethan Merrill

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