My Last P-Day!!! Chile here I come!

Hola que tal?

This is my last pday in the CCM! Super weird to think about, but i'm stoooooked to get to Chile! Honestly, if I wouldn't have prayed and trusted the lord with my reassignment I don't think I'd find myself saying that so easy , haha..it's all bueno tho!

These weeks have been FLYING by...never studied so much in my life! I also never learned so much in such little time. Its craazzzy, but pretty dope. It's pretty sick too that our teachers always teach us something that really hits me, then we go to a fireside or devotional and it like compliments what I learned. It's awesome.

We've been having great devo's, (devotionals) and tomorrow I get to hear from a General Authority, that'll be sweet!

When the last district in our zone left, they had a huuuge amount of things from food to nerf guns and whatever that had been passed down from previous districts, and it was our turn to get it so we were coming back from a fireside at main campus and it was like Christmas haha!! They left everything on our front doorstep and it was LOAD's of junk food. candy, cookies, a stop sign that everyone signed, tonnns and tons of stuff, even some clothes, and a goldfish hahaha...I don't know how that got here but it's pretty funny. We had to hide it when a member of our Branch Presidency came by to visit last night but he had no idea :p haha Hes a legit guy though, he teaches people how to be successful through seminars and travels all over and stuff, its dope! His name is Brother Williams, only cause I don't know his real first name lol. 

Being district leader is pretty funny though, cause I don't know if I really feel like district leader? Is that bad? haha.. I've been having fun just getting to know each Elder a lot better and its pretty cool! There are still one or two that don't really open up, which gets hard at times, but slowly they are getting there.  (I hope and just pray lol, only cause I know it will be hard for them in the field) The biggest thing I learned this week is Charity and Love. I used to think I understood the concept of it, but being here really made me take a step back and jump back into  it blindly so I could experience it much better. It's been real humbling.

Thanks so much to EVERYONE showing love while I'm here! Sister Daniels is the besttttt, the pumpkin muffins she made were gone in that same night haha..oh and the Dr Pepper!! Perfect! Grandma Pat and Grandma Chiquita loaded me with goodiesss, which was exactly what I needed!! haha  In the next letter i'll give you an update on how much weight I gained cause I know I feel like I definitely put a few on! I even made my mom send me a new belt haha...Never thought I would ask for that for at least a year lol..anyways 

I want to leave you with a message I shared with Addie. In Moroni 10:3-5 it just talks about how cool the Holy Ghost is and what it can do. Cause as long as you live worthily to receive the Holy Ghost or the spirit then you can know the truth of all things! Also go read 2 Nephi chapter 32! It talks more about the Holy Ghost, but remember to have faith in all these things! Cause with out faith nothing is possible. That's a fact! And whenever you want to follow the spirit, don't look for something to "yell at you" or let you know for sure (if that makes sense). If you are prompted to do something and you don't know why, then do it! Most likely it's the spirit, cause I know you know right from wrong and if you don't, just pray! James 1:5!

O.k. well, I better go! Love you all! PLEASE keep writing me! I LOVE it!!!

Mucho amor por todos! Y muchos gracias tambien

Con amor!

Elder Preciado

NEW ADDRESS and departure info!!

I received Jordan's Flight Itinerary today and he will fly out from Utah for Santiago Chile on December 2nd!!! So exciting! 

I would NOT mail him anything further after the 27th of November if you want anything to physically reach him prior to him leaving. Please continue to use the original address as they know his situation and he is receiving his packages and letters just fine as addressed even with the re-assignment from Argentina to Chile.

Here is the address for where his hand written letters and packages will be sent. You can still reach him much faster by using either jordan.preciado@myldsmail.net or Dear Elder.com.

To mail letters and packages to missionaries serving in our mission, the correct address is:

Elder Jordan Andrew Preciado
Misio'n Chile Santiago Norte
Sucursal Correo Patronato
Casilla # 60
Recoleta, Santiago
Chile

Mail is fairly reliable in Chile and once the mail comes into the office, we send it out to the zone where your missionary is serving.

If sending a package, do NOT use Fed-Ex, UPS or DHL unless you want to incur the additional fee in Chile to get it from their local contractor. The best way to send packages is the US Mail Priority Mail Box (USPS). Your package should arrive safely in 2-3 weeks. During holidays there can be some delays, but as noted above, we have had very few problems.

One additional suggestion: if your missionary has a Latin companion, please consider including something for him or her. He may also know of someone even if they are not his companion either. These missionaries seldom receive packages and letters and your kindness will be greatly appreciated!

DearElder.com will also send letters via pouch for FREE to your missionary.

Hope this helps answer your questions! 

Thank you for all your love and support! He expresses often how grateful he is to all of his family and friends!

Love,

Linda Preciado

Week 4..Already!

Mom speaking here....can I just say how handsome and happy he looks! :) Love this Elder!

Sooo this week has been pretty dope. First off I got called to be the District Leader! So that's a blessing to be able to serve.AND my district and my companions have been having a lot of fun, getting along, and teaching some awesome lessons to our investigators" , it's pretty fun! 

 I never thought I'd see my fourth week so fast already. My good buddies that were my Zone leaders (pics below) left today and I had them all write in my journal and like everyone said that I was a big example to them and stuff like that.  I don't remember doing anything like that so i was like uhh...ok sweet! So yeah its pretty sweet, its just something i neeeever notice at all so it was nice that they said that..but  I gave them business cards too :) haha

I'm lovin it and cant wait to get to CHILE!!!  The MTC President Nalee pulled me out of class to personally let me know what my new call was, and when i got back, my teacher and everyone were like wanting to shake my hand cause i got a chance to speak with him haha, it was pretty funny...I honestly didn't know who he was at first, then i was like whoa..lol

We had a fireside on Sunday with Mary Ellen Edmund's and she was HILARIOUS. lol She served like 3 or 4 missions or something, and was one of the first missionaries to serve in the Philippines! Pretty nuts..sad about all of that too by the way!

Got to see someone i knew for the first time at the Devotional last night too! I got to say what up to London! err, Sister Harvey, haha. It was funny, she didn't expect it at all. So it was fun to see her and I included a picture. Shout out to my Auntie Judy for the tie/Martinelli's/pkg as a congrats on my Reassignment!! I went crazy! haha :p Oh and yes laundry is easy haha -.- already did it at 630 this morning lol. Sorry, I'm not sure what else to include, because its like the same routine every day and it's been awesome!

Tell  Addie I love her letters and the Temples she sends are sweet! I'll try and write her back but it's hard sometimes because we are so busy.  I cant think of what else i need honestly..I'm surviving just fine, and lovin it! Maybe bubba can bring me some DP! lol

I hate to say it but I've got to go for now!  Thanks everyone for all the support and love! I'll be way more detailed in the future i promise.

Tell everyone I love them! and sorry if i haven't gotten to everyone!! I am sure I am leaving things out but I'll get better at this :) I'm trying...but still write cause I love it and LOVE the packages and goodies! :) Can't believe I leave on December 3rd! So Stoked!

Much love! Check out my pictures!!!! 

--

Elder Preciado

Santiago North, Chile

10/23/13 - 10/23/15

This kid is LEGIT haha super funny, reminds me of Sean Burnham :)

Look who I ran into at Devotional! London from Eldo/Folsom! aka Sister Harvey!

This is another zone leader that I had , and he left today too.

The stadium in the back ..This one's for Jake :)

This is my buddy Elder Jensen, I promised him a meal from you mom when we get back....soooo heads up! He reminds me of Jake ..He's from Idaho, plays rugby--He's a beast! But a total mamma's boy-big teddy bear! :) lol 

 Represent! Haha
 Love this guy!

This Elder was one of my Zone Leaders before he left. He was cool.

Here's more of my good buddies that just left to Uruguay and some of my zone with the district leaving to Uruguay

 The Sister's are still here but the guys left today.

I've been RE-ASSIGNED!!!!

HOLA!

So the President of the MTC, gave me permission to email you once I found out about my Mission reassignment! Pero, i know you already know, since President Aragon already called you. lol... I'm  very excited though! Mason is there! He said, David Archuleta is there too! Super crazy. That'd be sweet if he trained me or somethin.. Hows the casa?  Look up about Chile for me and sent me pics! annd remember its spelled Chile not Chili..don't look like an amateur hahah...anyways, 

Love you Mucho!!

Pat sent me a package with tonnsss of treats. Make sure to tell her i say thank you, and ill write her next p day! 

Te' amo

--

Elder Preciado

North Santiago, Chile

10/23/13 - 10/23/15

Week 3!

soo Que Pasa? Time has been flying by so quick! Every day is feelin like a week, but the weeks feel like a day! its crazy. I'm learning so much espanol tambien. I never knew I could learn this much this quick! I've been able to give our "investigators" lessons in full spanish now, and explain everything I want to say, including my testimonio. It's the coolest feeling to be able to keep a conversation going and understand someone who speaks fluently! 

I met a few cool sisters, but i cant talk to them too much or else an elder will yell 33! cause in page 33 of the missionary handbook it says how you shouldn't flirt with a sister or a member of the opposite sex and stuff lol...I just talk but they freak out thinking I'm flirting haha. They will go to Mexico. That would be dope to go there! I still haven't heard back about my visa other than they are still working on it. So who knows if there will be any changes or not.

We had the opportunity to listen to L Tom Perry and it was dope! He talked a lot about companionship's! Hes super funny!! When he entered the room its like he had a huge spirit fill it, it was awesome..the things he talked about were like everything I've been working at! So it was cool to know my goals are right kinda thing, ya know!

.Oh, i got a shoe shine kit! been shinin my shoes lol...haha . but yeah its been really hot during the day then freezing when the sun goes down, super weird.

So yeah, i was sayin i was tempted to see if you could volunteer for thanksgiving and come cook for the day at the mtc lol that would be dope! I really miss your food! 

Ok, crazy storry...that just strengthens my belief in everything happens for a reason, cause i believe theres an elder that came to the mtc at this specific time because one day we were eating in the cafeteria...normal day...and we had fried chicken and tri tip or something..it was okay, but an elder started choking and no one could tell but me and so i look over and I'm like yo! are you alright? then an elder from my district popped up super quick! went over there and gave him the Heimlich, cause he used to be a lifeguard, and totally just saved his life! It was super crazy...everyone just was praying and im lilke uhh someone should do something! Do we not have a ton of  eagle scouts here? haha He's o.k. though, just glad I saw him and was prompted!

Anyways im lovin it! learning so much! Send  me some love! haha treats of any kind are awesome too :p I try and remember to thank everyone, so let everyone know i appreciate their letters and goodies! 

Oh and this is a picture from the devotional with L Tom Perry!

Much love 

--

Elder Preciado

Week 2 Update

Week 2's letter arrived today! He had to mail his letter this time instead of email because he was so busy answering emails from others he ran out of time :) With the holiday, it delayed it arriving until today. I hope to have another letter waiting for me tomorrow!! Love hearing from him!! :)

11-6-13

Hola! Today was a great day! I've been learning charity, love, and patience the most lately and today was just one small result in doing my best to keep all those characteristics with me. I am learning that all of the Elders in my district have a different perspective than what I am used to, and that's o.k. but it's given me some off experiences at times but being here, and exercising charity has shown me that you can ALWAYS make something work even if it seems impossible. Lately our "investigators" we've been teaching haven't really been progressing or keeping their commitments we extended to them. Tonight one of our investigators we were set to teach just hadn't been understanding what we were trying to help him learn. I noticed that my companions hadn't been really preparing for it, so I didn't remind them this time on purpose cause I found out that the more they "over prepare" the more doubts and, (my favorite word "assumptions" haha), and lack of confidence would fill their minds. So! Instead I let them just go throughout the day and right before we were set to teach I let them know that I thought we should make sure he knew. Now, usually we all bring note cards or a notebook with Spanish phrases to remember , but I had a big prompting to leave that all out this time. I said, no note cards, all memory and thought of an object lesson to include and so when we got to our lesson the spirit was so strong it was just awesome! I don't remember ANYTHING I said, but I knew it was what I needed to share and our investigator said he felt the spirit really strong, that all his stress and nervousness had gone away! It was the coolest thing to see happen and gave me a HUGE testimony in faith and prayer! I Loved it! I'm really starting to see how to really teach someone, and the feeling to care for someone in this way is so indescribable for me.

I just love learning new things every day. Literally every day here I learn something new. It's amazing! I can tell I am where I am supposed to be even though the food here makes me realize how SPOILED I was at home! haha It's good though, and I get seconds almost every time I eat! Jake better be proud of that! Hahaha 

And, I am sorry I don't miss you all too much yet. I love you all, but I know learning what I am learning is mas importante! :p But is there anything I can do for you guys? enserio? ( means sincerely) I know I'm far away, but I'm learning how powerful words can be :p

Love you all lots!

Love Elder Preciado

P.s. I'll try and send some pics next week and tell people they can write me! I love it when they do! 

First real letter from ELDER PRECIADO!

It was so exciting to receive his first letter this morning! You can tell he has a lot to share and not enough time as they all seem to say :) Sure grateful for him!

Howsigoing?! That's so funny addy dressed as a minion, lol. Nice recycle of costume too lol. Miss you guys! The first 4 or 5 days or so were a little tough but it wasn't a tough i couldn't handle at all, so papi dont freak out. lol. We had an opportunity to go to a devotional last night by a member of the seventy named Carlos Godoy, FUNNIEST dude ever. Made us laugh the whole time, he talked all about his conversion story, why its important to teach everyone and not judge them especially by appearance cause when he was baptized he had hair past his shoulders! He was awesome though because he had fun with his whole story and also brought the spirit and doctrine along with it, which i think is sometimes hard to do when you want to have fun, or don't know how to express it i guess...

Anyways! My district is growing on me, my district leader reminds me EXACTLY of Forrest, its crazy...he dresses like him, acts like him and a few of the same mannerisms he had, but i know he has changed much more since his mission, so Forrest is probably much better but, hes had a hard time last week because his companion was a little "cocky" if you will? not to speak bad or anything but he was just a little too confident in what he knew, because he actually ended up moving districts because he got pushed up to the intermediate group for Spanish because he knew so much, so we lost our translator haha..

 Sadly a lot of them are like ignorant in their ways... real stubborn, selfish to an EXTENT but not that bad at all.... but still frustrating cause their opinion is gold to them.... so it makes it a little tough when trying to share ideas about what to teach or whatever..but i read through the whole book grandma pat gave me called how to be an extraordinary missionary, and its AWESOME....a lot of things in there teach you how to be effective, remember why you are here and all that. one of them is instead of answering a question with "i think its...." or "its probably this because..."  its better to say "i don't know....." or "let me see if i can find out..." i know you see the difference in it, as far as being humble and meek, because everyone in the district acts like they are the teacher.....so that's probably the toughest thing if id have to say...yeah, i know, so its all going good and  i'm lovin it!!! Oh yeah and I noticed that whenever i feel the spirit my eyes water and I always think about papi...i'm like danggit, why'd i have to get the cry gene! lol

 I'm getting better with conversations, and am about to give a 4th lesson to a "acting" investigator, its pretty fun to get the real experience but kinda crazy cause they act so well! haha, but now my district leader is in a trio with me and my companion! Its been going pretty good but I know how it can get when you want to all share your idea and have something good to say but we might not all agree....we'll figure it out i guess....a lot of the district worries on things they could do better worrying, but i know they will learn! I KNOW the lord is saying i need patience....lol....There's also an Elder Nelson in my group from Prescott Arizona, who literally is a SPITTIN image of Spencer Preciado, err I mean Elder Preciado. Evvverything from his humor to his looks, I swear hes my long lost cousin haha....they're startin to enjoy my nacho a little bit too lol... there's one Elder that's super dope, hes not in my district though, hes elder woodcock, hes 21 too, super awesome guy elder woodcock he  isn't going to Argentina lol...so bummer but its okay.....aanywayss..I'm lovin it!! Im really surprised with how much I've learned in just ONE week, it feels like 3 weeks!! but send me treats!! haha, the food here is good and i'm pretty sure i gained some weight already cause the pants i wore before the mission are a little tight on me when i put em on today haha....but it REALLY makes me miss your cooking! like a lot...nothin compares at all....i try not to brag about it because i don't wanna be "that guy" but Its hard when I get a meal, that you've made that is ten times better :p but i guess we have the best chef in all the mtc's here in provo, so i guess that's good! I'm in the Wyview campus by the way too! (West Campus, according to main MTC) which is the old married student housing, some students are on the other half of the complex, but we mainly just sleep there, and spend like 15 hours a day in a classroom at the former Raintree Apartments, if you know where that is.... right next to burger Supreme!! so we are heading there for lunch today :p  

So ya! if you want me to know what to say in my emails, by the way, just write me through dear elder so i can read it during lunch or dinner and Ill be prepared for when P day comes to know what to write! oh and thank Michelle Daniels for the cookies!! they were sooooo bomb, i loved gettin the package. but YES send me stuff!! treats, cd's whatever! do you got any monies? i needa buy a laundry bag, and stuff....OH and even though they don't really share, soooo i probably wont share, but i'm always offering..you know me..lol but there is NO caffeine available here...its weird for me haha, i dont need that though...but just surprise me! you said you know me! :p but yeah anything is fine with me! ..its just awesome to look forward to mail or packages! Tell grandma i miss her! Whats her email? Is she still with you guys? Well, I GOTTA GO 

LOVE YOU MUCHO!!!

Love,

Elder Preciado

Cordoba, Argentina

10/23/13 - 10/23/15