Eso es como ganando la lotería sin colectando el dinero

First off, when you hear a place is ghetto, don't go and knock on random people's doors...life doesn't work that way. Anyways, this week was pretty slow compared to the last few so forgive me for that but it's because we were doing look ups a lot whereas before we would just go to someone's house who we knew were most likely home. We also started playing basketball in the mornings so now we're a little more tired than usual but that's the only way I'll get out of bed in the morning so that has to happen haha. Also, the quote above is originally from one of my best friends and the reason I used it this past week was to explain the power and authority of the priesthood. Luckily for me it directly translates from English to Spanish so I knew exactly how to say it. In English it's "That's like winning the lottery without collecting the money" because that's what it's like when you don't exercise the power of the priesthood. We can have it and not use it because we're too lazy or busy to go and do something for someone or if you don't have it, you don't ask for a priesthood holder to help you in any way. We have one of the greatest gifts around and without using it, we get nothing out of it. Just like if we were to not collect the money. 

Now, onto my week. Monday we had a noche de hogar at a member's house who is getting ready to go to the temple and so of course we're jumping on that like no tomorrow. His brother in law was also there with his brand new 2015 F-150 and man do those look nice! Wouldn't mind that in a couple years ;) Anyways, we talked about the will of God and how everything that happens in our lives has a reason but we always need to remember that our Heavenly Father knows best and that we always need to follow his counsel and that was a pretty powerful lesson. Then we went to the Artola's home to have some pupusas and man did that hit the spot. Oh and speaking of food, I've realized I can no longer even try to choke down beans. Tuesday night we went back to their house for food again (they really like giving us food) and there were beans I was trying to eat like always and I usually have a hard time keeping them down but this time I gagged a little so after that I was just like okay I'm done. I'm just saying I'm allergic I don't care anymore. So yeah! No more beans para mi por favor. Tuesday we also had a lesson with this family who recently had their daughter baptized then went less active right after so we went there with the Elder's quorum president and then they came to church again Sunday! So that was good to see. We also went to Buffalo Wild Wings that day as always and man does that hit the spot. 65 cent wings on Tuesdays are the best thing ever. I'm talking a lot about food...anyways! Then came hump day, which is more like Thursday for us I think but anyways, Wednesday was definitely more of a relaxing day. We went to another one of our favorite families, the Hurtado's where the young man who is getting easy for a mission is there so we went back there and ended up staying a little longer than expected. But they're moving so we helped them with moving some stuff out so we didn't completely waste time. That was fun though. Then they took us to this Colombian bakery that was super good and after that we went to the church for mutual. And this was definitely the highlight of my week. 

Allow me to explain por que: So for mutual they were learning to tie ties and before my trainer Elder Pincock left he showed me a super legit, easy and quick way to tie a tie so I showed everyone how to do it and their minds were blown because I do it without even putting the tie around my neck to tie it. If that makes sense. Basically I measure where I want the tie to go, do some knots and stuff around my hand and then after some magic, boom, it's tied. The only time it goes around my neck is after its completely tied. So I tried to teach some of the young men how to do it but they gave up. But they learned other ways so it's all good. Then we had a prayer and the fun began: basketball with soccer players. It was raining outside so we couldn't go and play soccer but there was a basketball in the gym so we decided to do that and boy was that a great idea. Needless to say, I saw the opportunity to be a little bit of a punk with everyone, and I took it. There were 11 of us playing I think and only 3 of us have played before so I knew I was going to have fun. And so I did. I've honestly never had so much fun playing before. So yeah, basketball with Hispanics is now my favorite thing. 

Then Thursday was my sneak peek at the city. (Pictures are coming) I went on exchanges there because my companion went to the temple for his anniversary temple trip (Mine is next month. Whaaat?) I saw a super legit view of Manhattan, the Pepsi cola sign and got to ride the subway. The city is like a different world. We didn't do much that day because the person I was with thought he was going somewhere else but it was still cool to see everything. I also saw a Lamborghini Aventador and a Ferrari so no complaints there. The main cars I see around where I am are really ghetto looking cars that have been lowered so it's about 1 inch off the ground and no me gusta. Then Friday, Saturday and Sunday we had some super powerful lessons with members again and each time I realized something: I'm speaking a lot. I mean my companion definitely speaks the most since he's a native and everything but when I start I will just go on and on and on. I might be exaggerating that a little but I do speak a lot and it's super cool! I'm also able to talk about past experiences from my life too so I'm really happy about that. 

So yeah that's pretty much my week in a nutshell! Here's a little sneak peek for next week: My companion, the wonderful Elder Peña's birthday is Tuesday and I talked with the Artola's about maybe having a surprise birthday party for him and they said they love the idea so hopefully that goes well. This is also the last week of the transfer so next week I'll be able to tell you all if I'm staying or if I'm going. I really want to stay but at times I feel like the guy that "Should I Stay or Should I Go" talks about. Except obviously Brentwood would be the thing I'm leaving. So yeah! Hope you all had an awesome week! Talk to you later! Enjoy the pictures! 

1) Our backyard beach 

2) Picture speaks for itself 

3) Manhattan 

4) The sign 

5) Your average subway station 

6) This amazing card from my 2nd family the Burr's 

7) Food 

8) Free food...and slurpees!

Tyler eating guinea pig!