NO SLEEP 'TIL...BROOKLYN!!!

That's right! I'm out here in Brooklyn!! It's a huge difference from the the island because I no longer have a car, I'm riding busses and subways and best of all, I'm walking! Oh I can already tell you all that I'm going to grow so much this transfer. I'm finally with a companion who is struggling more than I am at the language which means I will be doing lots and lots of talking. Am I ready for this? I am actually! I'm not exactly sure what has happened this past transfer but all of a sudden I'm talking a ton, the grammar is all right (85% of the time), I'm talking fast and people are understanding! My confidence has definitely grown and I don't even know where this all came from. But it was definitely needed. Now, because Brooklyn is so big, it's divided into 3 or 4 zones I think and I'm in the zone that covers Midwood and man was I surprised when I got called to go there. This is kind of how it went: We are sitting in transfer meeting and they decided to change things up a bit and instead of going zones 1-10, they go 10-1. And I was like okay sweet I'll probably get called pretty soon then because I probably won't be going to the city yet and zones 1-6 are the city zones. But was I wrong about that one. As soon as they finished zone 7 and my name wasn't called I was just like BROOOO IM GOING TO THE CITY!!!! But I was still chill about it. Then they get finished with all the Queens zones and I'm just sitting there wondering where the heck I'm going! Then finally they call zone 2, Midwood, Brooklyn. They call my old companion, Elder Peña, as district leader there and I was like okay I'm not going there because he's training and there are probably just him and 2 sisters in his district...but nope! They call my now companion, Elder Oaks, then myself and I'm just like no way! Peña and I are back man! So I'm in Midwood with an old friend and I'm loving it already. 

So yeah! That's that. Like I said before, my companion is now Elder Oaks and he's actually closely related to Elder Oaks of the Twelve Apostles so that's pretty cool. But he's struggling a little bit with the language so I'm trying to find ways to help him...especially since I don't do anything during language study. So I'm thinking if I help him, my Spanish could get even better. I'm not exactly sure if it's going to help at all but I can definitely still help him. There's no harm in that at all. That's actually one thing I've realized about myself since being out. I love to serve others. It's just something I look for each and every day. I've been talking a lot about it as well. One thing I always find myself saying is "Cuando hacemos servicio para alguien, no podemos pensar de nuestros mismos. Tenemos que pensar solamente de los necesidades de la otra persona quien estamos ayudando." Which pretty much means that when we are doing stuff for others, we can't think of ourselves. We just can't. We have to think of the needs of the other person who we are helping so that we can say we did absolutely every possible thing we could to try and help. And that's one of the biggest things we do as missionaries. If we are fully serving, we aren't going to think of ourselves. We really just can't. 

As for this week as a whole, we are pretty much just meeting people and getting to know the area a little bit better. And this is definitely an interesting place. We've already had two people pretend like they were going to jump us. But luckily they were just kidding. Saturday was definitely the best day of all. And it got me excited to train! You see, Elder Peña is training right now and Saturday he had a meeting so I was like why don't we do exchanges so that he can keep working and his trainee, Elder Corbett, was cool with it and we got the okay from the zone leaders so I was like alright sweet I'm finally in charge. Let's make some real stuff happen. Because elder oaks enjoys doing look ups but here in the city, that doesn't work all the time. So this is what we did: We started the day with look ups and we actually had success from that which I was honestly surprised by but it was mainly to try and challenge myself to learn to get around town. But anyways, our area book has about 90 potential investigators...that's not necessarily a bad thing but trying to figure out who's interested and who's not is a big challenge. So we went and looked maybe 7 or 8 people up in this one area and I'm pretty sure I dropped 4 out of the 5 people we actually talked to because they weren't interested. So success there! Then we went to the church after dinner to make some calls. There were some good ones and some really funny ones. The best was definitely the one with this Dominican woman who was super excited to hear from us but was a little busy at the time so she's going to hopefully call us this week! Then there was this one where I asked to talk to this guy Eddy then a lady just responded with "Estoy sola" then hung up and I was just like what just happened??  that one was funny

So yeah! That pretty much does it for this past week. The only other thing was that yesterday to introduce myself to members, the bishop asked me, Elder Peña and Elder Corbett to get up and speak since it was testimony meeting yesterday. So as always, I shared my story of how I went to BASEcamp and that's pretty much the biggest reason why I'm out here. That's the big experience that pretty much changed my whole perspective because that's the experience I had when I was able to feel the spirit super strong for the first time. It helped me come to realize that this is the true church, Joseph smith was in fact a prophet of God and he did translate the Book of Mormon and that is a true book and other testament of Jesus Christ. That is my small testimony that I was able to gain through just one powerful experience. Y por eso, aquí estoy!  So yeah. Thanks to everyone, I hope you all had an awesome week and you're all amazing! Now enjoy pictures. 

1) The district in the subway station 

2) The subway view with Brooklyn Bridge way out there

3) Mugging...then there's me 

4) Taco Bell with the Hatian Creole speakers

5) Coney Island. With my reflection

6) Elder peña's companions both old and new

7) The district again 

8) Elder Oaks 

9) Elder Peña

10) Elder Corbett

11) Everybody!

Serious time

Well first of all, I'm out of my first area! Which I'm pretty sad about because I've gotten super close to some of the members and it's going to be so hard to leave them. They've pretty much become my family. I'm also sad to leave the people I've been working with like those two boys who have the baptismal date, the two other guys who are super close and one of them actually told us this past week he had a dream where he pretty much talked with someone who told him the church is true and that's super cool! Then there's Cassandra who is the girlfriend of a less active and I'm really hoping she will have a desire to be baptized. 

This past week was pretty successful too! We found two new investigators who seem super legit and one is the uncle of a less active so hopefully there can be some good stuff there and the other is the little brother of the kid who had the dream. They are both super interested and I wish them nothing but the best because that's what the gospel can bring. 

I know I may have seemed a little less serious in previous emails but these past (almost) 7 months have really truly been amazing. I've truly began to have a true appreciation for this gospel and I've been able to see all the amazing things it can do for people. One thing we have talked a lot about has been the commandments and that we have them not to keep us locked in a cage but to help us progress and grow through this life and put our faith in our Heavenly Father and ask for His help in those areas that we need it. He knows us better than anyone else and he will always do His part as long as we do ours by striving to live and follow His example as much as possible. But because we are human and we are going to mess up, He will always forgive us. He will always forgive us then give us a 2nd chance to try and do better again. 

Yesterday was a day filled with good byes because I had a pretty good feeling that I was leaving so I took a ton of pictures with members and talked with one especially who decided to have a big Ward good bye party for me and the other sister who will be leaving the area. So tonight we will go to her house along with like half the ward so I'm really excited for that! It's also going to be a little bitter sweet though because of how much they've all done for me. I spoke with the member who is having the party for me, Hermana Majano, and she said how happy she has been to have me serve in this Ward and that she has definitely been able to see an increase in my Spanish and it just felt super good to hear that since I wasn't sure if I've actually had an influence here but I guess I have! 

So yeah! That's pretty much it for this week! It's been a crazy journey thus far and I'm so excited to find out where I'll be going tomorrow at transfer meeting, who I'll be serving with and all the experiences I am about to have these next few transfers. Obviously I have no idea what's to come but whatever it is, it's for a reason and it's going to help me more than anything. I actually had an experience this past week while talking with someone and they helped me realize that even the hardest trials we have help us in some way. Whether it helps us have more knowledge, more faith, humility or whatever it is we may need in that moment, we will be able to develop it. That's what trials are here for. The scriptures even say that Heavenly Father will never do anything save it be for the benefit of men. So there ya have it! One of my favorite scriptures because of the amount of hope it brings. To me at least. 

I could go on and on with this stuff but I'll save more thoughts like that for the future! But for now, I will end this email with my testimony that I know this church is true, Heavenly Father loves us so much and because of that love he has given us a prophet to lead and guide us today and I share that simple testimony in the name of Jesus Christ, amen. Now for pictures! 

1 and 2) the two girls who have been like my little sisters here (But no one can compare to Riley!)

3) The member who calls herself our "mama negra" (black mama ) 

4) The 3 survivors of 3 different district leaders...and mama negra again!

5) The gangsterest gangsters of all gangsters

6) The member who tried to scare me by kicking me out of his house my 2nd day and one of my favorites

7) 2x2 Rubix cube that I can't solve

8) funny video

9) I've had this same car from the start and I got it to 10000 miles! 

I'm just a kid

So to sum up this week, I'm still a child. There's definitely some parts of me that have changed but a good amount that still have yet to change. I've attached videos of me lighting stuff on fire and of a little fun idea I had (you'll see). I've been doing this stuff for a while now though and it's gotten to the point where a member from the English Ward made me sign a contract that said I must think about the consequences before doing something stupid...I've broken the contract already. But anyways! Missionary things! This week was a little slower but we still had a bunch of lessons with members and I thought about it yesterday and I've actually gotten really close with a lot of members and I can tell that they really appreciate the time I've had here which feels super cool! Then I went to the temple on Thursday for my anniversary trip! I've almost been out for 7 months now...before I know it I'm going to be at a year! Time goes way too fast out here. But yeah the temple was awesome of course and I got to see some of the MTC buds which is always good. Oh I also took the personality color test because I couldn't remember which color I was and I found out I'm extremely yellow which are the people motivated by fun. Anyone surprised? I'm not! That was random. Anyways, what else can I say? We set up the baptismal date with those 2 kids forSeptember 10 so that's exciting! I don't remember if I've talked about that yet. But yeah. Transfers are next Tuesday! This one went by crazy fast. It feels like just last week I picked Elder Ruiz up from Patchogue. I think that's also the reason why I've been more like myself this transfer...I'm with a companion who can actually deal with it! He got a little mad though when I thought it would be a good idea to throw a new bag of crackers up at the ceiling fan and they kind of exploded all over the floor that he just finished mopping. But it was funny to see them get flung across the room! He loves me though  so uh yeah I think that's pretty much it! I love you all and thanks for everything!! Now here's some pictures! I actually have a good amount this week! 

1) Really weird shoes we saw last Saturday going to the temple (oh by the way I went last Saturday too) 

2) Me last Saturday at the temple

3) My favorite little guy Kevin. He moved to Florida last week and said he wanted me as his big brother 

4) We went bowling last week and I'm pretty sure that's my best game ever

5) Pretty much where I spend my days when I go to the church

6) This Thursday at the temple

7) The crew

8) Nasty slug

9) One of my favorite families

10) the contract

Primary activity on Saturday 8/22/15

The Elder Rossi and Elder Ruiz helped decorate for the activity!

No Mass Email

August 17, 2015
Tyler didn't write a mass email update this week so I'm sharing the little info he shared with me. Sometimes trying to get info out of him is hard. I think he is replying to email s and playing basketball at the same time. And we know how well guys can multi-task. Haha, just kidding.
I told Ty that Kyle went to opening social with the youth on Saturday and his response was "Man I miss opening socials! I'd better get called to the Young Men's Presidency so I can do that!"
Tyler found out that Elder Hussein (his zone leader from Brentwood, Ca) went to Herritage so they definitely played volleyball against each other. while we were talking about the upcoming transfer Ty said "there's also a good chance I'm going to be training! That'd be crazy...but fun!" And he's a lot more comfortable now. Ty said "I'm starting to talk more and more. I'm finally starting to be able to joke around with people and show them who I really am in Spanish now so that's good." I guess we will see if this proves to be good or not....especially after the email he sent home today!

This picture was sent to me by my friend Claudia Majano from her phone. And I zoomed in to show Tyler checking and responding to emails in between playing basketball. Quality isn't the best, but their you have it.

My attention span

So as many of you know, it takes a lot for me to just sit and stay
focused for a while, right? Well, that hasn't changed a bit. We had 13
hours worth of meetings this week and if there's one thing I took away
from them all, it's that my attention span is still equal with one of
a 6 year old. I did learn a lot of good stuff from the meetings
though. They were super powerful and I got to see a ton of people I've
gotten close with since being out here from different zone's since
there were 3 zones there. I also learned that missionaries have a way
with describing how they get into accidents. But anyways, yeah we had
meetings like crazy this week but they were good. But because of it,
we weren't able to have too many lessons so we had to get a little
creative with time. We ended up getting about 7 or 8 lessons which
isn't too bad but this coming week we're hoping to double that. Oh,
also, I learned that I get way too intense when I play monopoly. But
that doesn't matter right now. Am I helping you understand exactly how
short my attention span is? Okay well that's pretty much all I've got
for you all today! I guess I can also talk about how the two younger
kids we are teaching are nearing their baptism since their mom wants
to do it in September when her brother is here but I don't think I'll
be in Brentwood after this transfer so someone else will have the
opportunity to baptize them! So yeah that's where we're at now! Hope
you all have an awesome week! Until next time....

Elder Rossi

 Tyler and Elder Ruiz taught at a Relief Society Meeting and then they ate!

 Then he and Elder Ruiz played Basketball with the youth.

Sister Majano loves to feed the Elders and send me pictures. Tyler being his goofy self sporting the crown!

Today, Sister Majano took the Elders here for lunch/early dinner!

Tyler said "So this is pretty much everyone we hang out with on pdays with, a
couple additions but the guy in the tiger shirt is one of the guys I'm
closest to and the day we become comps, the world should surely die" The other Warriors fan
is the Zone leader from Brentwood, CA!

Hace mucho tiempo!

It's been quite a while huh? Well I'm alive! I'm just lazy  but things have been rolling and I'm sure for most of you guys my mom has been keeping you updated. But real quick, I'm still in Brentwood, my zone leader is from Brentwood, CA and is now serving in Brentwood, NY so that's funny. I also have a new companion who loves metal and volleyball so we get along just fine. We also work hard so don't assume we don't! Okay now onto my week! 

Well let's go day by day! Monday we had family home evening with the bishop's family and they rent out the first story of their house and they told us we should go teach the people who live down stairs and then we talked with the bishop who became bishop 2 weeks ago about
what he wants to do and he told us how he wants the members to come to church a little earlier so we spent the entire week pretty much teaching about the sacrament and inviting and committing the members to come earlier and there were so many people there 10-15 minutes
early and it was awesome! Then Tuesday we taught 3 member families about that and also got a referral from a Dominican family so we will be going and visiting that person this week and then we also went to this less active's house and tried setting up another appointment after the lesson then they kept canceling through the week and finally we went to this member's house who doesn't have the best family relationship so we have been working with them a lot. They are all just so different and they don't get along very well. Then Wednesday we only had one lesson but I think there was a ton of housekeeping stuff we had to do so that's why but it was another really good lesson with another family I've been working with. That was the Lopez family and the dad like loves me and he's so super legit and kind and giving and I love him! Then Thursday was the craziest day. We woke up, exercised, studied, went to this service for an hour and a half or so
where we had to help a member's husband (he's not a member) with moving a ton of stuff then went back to our pad, showered and changed then went to a lesson with a youth's cousin who isn't a member and had a ton of young men there with us and it was super good. Then we went
out with one of the member's from the Dominican family we taught Tuesday night and went to an investigator's house and the investigator is Daniel and he's super strong but he needs to keep some other commitments first. Then Friday was a really slow day because everyone kept canceling but we went to a less active's house named Luis and we went with brother Artola  and he seriously just seemed like a normal member! The only problem is that he has to work on Sunday's but we asked if he would come on Sunday and just put faith in Heavenly Father
and ask for the day off or if you can come late and he came to church! And brought a friend!! It was so awesome!!! Then Saturday was a super good day. We went back finally and talked with these two kids who are getting ready for baptism but have some special needs so that's why
they haven't been baptized yet and we taught them a little more and what we are going to try to do now is go and see them every Saturday and Sunday so that we could possibly baptize them by the end of this month!! We also had an hour lesson with the girlfriend named Cassandra
of a less active named Juan  completely about prayer and it was super powerful and we brought a return missionary with us and he helped so much and once again we asked her to come to church but...no show. It was sad. But we just have to keep trying! Then yesterday we had dinner
at brother Artola's house, went to the house of someone we found on Wednesday I think but he wasn't home and then we went back to that member house with the not so strong family unit and so we talked about CPR (church prayer and read) as well as temples and it was so powerful
and I feel like the lesson really touched the son who needs it the most. I'm not sure exactly but I'm hoping! Then this morning we were studying then get a call from a member we're closer with named Sister Majano and she asked if we could help her with something and we were like hopefully it won't take long so we went and we get there then she takes us out for breakfast at IHop! That was it! We were grateful but at the same time I was like man we were totally deceived! But that's sister Majano for ya  

So that pretty much does it for this week! I'll try to get better at this but I also write exactly that in my journal and it's usually a lie so we will see what happens. Pero todo es posible con fe! Love and miss you all!

Elder Rossi 

Here are a couple pictures from Ihop courtesy of Sister Majano! (She sends me lots of pictures and I love her for that!)

Crazy Week

On Monday July 27, 2015, another day without a group update. This was part of the email that he sent to me. And a picture my new friend Claudia Majano (The Mission Mom) sent me.

As for my new companion his name is Elder Ruiz, he's super legit, he have
tons in common (he loves volleyball and metal so what more do I need
in life) he has a super cool story and best of all, he's a native. And
he saves my butt from time to time. He's from Mexico so we look like
Mexican buddies. And yeah I'm driving again. Elder Peña and I were
supposed to stay companions but elder Ruiz and the other elder in
Patchogue aren't able to drive and that's a driving area so that was
awkward and now he's the district leader here, I'm the driver and
elder Peña is now the driver in the other area. We fell victim to that
because we're the closest Spanish area to them I guess. So yeah that
was pretty interesting. Today we are going to institute at 1 then from
there we are going to another church building for nerf wars. Kyle
should be jealous. I guess there's like 20 people coming so that'll be
legit.