We had just spoken on the phone to Thomas the day before he sent this e-mail. It was great to hear his voice and to have actual back and forth instantaneous conversation. Usually we have to wait a week for him to get a question from us and answer, then another week for our answer back to him. It makes it hard to do anything quickly.
He is a pleasure to have as a son. We love his willingness to follow the mission rules and to obey his leaders. These traits will serve him well over the course of his life.
James is another missionary in our ward who will be leaving for Mexico in September.
Dear Family,
I can hardly remember what I was about to talk about yesterday. I started explaining something at the end but then I completely forgot.
One thing I did remember that James might want to know (as well as Alisa) is bring only one type of black sock. Make them all the same color and style, because the socks I have now are all different styles and varieties and it takes an eternity to sort them out after laundry. It wasn't something I even considered before my mission, but I wish I had.
I still can't believe James is going to Mexico! I need to send him a letter, can I get his address? And I'm going to write the letter completely in Spanish, as well.
Did you ever manage to get a little photo book put together? I would love to have something like that to show the other missionaries. They refuse to believe that my entire family has brown hair.
I just remembered some stories I never told you about from a couple weeks ago. First of all, you remember that I told you we live in the middle of a fairly big Jewish community? Keep that in mind:
We were checking up on a potential investigator, and we were actually talking to him on the doorstep and checking up on his Book of Mormon reading, when all of the sudden, I glance over my shoulder and there's these 2 policemen standing behind me at the gate. Somehow, we managed to stay focused and finish our conversation with the investigator and leave him with a couple commitments, and he closes the door. We turn around and walk up to the policemen, and they tell us to come with them. We walk a little ways down the sidewalk, and then they stop, and start talking to us. One of the policemen (who actually had red hair) started off telling us "Alright, here's the problem we have." Meanwhile, I notice a growing group of Jewish people all standing off on the other side of the sidewalk looking at us and talking amongst themselves. "We received a report a couple weeks ago that one of your missionaries tried to offer cake to a Jewish kid. The kid panicked and phoned the police, and we've been looking for a 'ginger missionary' ever since." To which the red-headed police officer actually smiled.
It turns out that Jewish kids tend to freak out a lot, due to their parents teaching them that everyone else is basically a heathen. The police thought it might have been some sort of child abuser at large, but when they saw me and started talking to me they actually started laughing. They had a similar incident in which these 2 chavs were giving a Jewish kid a hard time. This big guy walked up to the chavs and told them off. Once the chavs had walked away, the big guy turned to the Jewish kid and said "Are you alright?" The Jewish kid ran away, and called the police on him. I had to laugh when I heard that story.
We left the police on good terms, and I'm sure it made their day. They actually gave us a personal number cell number to call if we ever needed anything. I especially liked that the officer regarded us highly once he realised we were still teenagers. He said he wished all the youth of the world could do such respectable things with their lives. I've seen that same officer a couple times and we always wave at each other.
Later that night, on a completely unrelated event, we got back to the flat and started to plan for the next day when we heard a noise outside the door. Sounded like a cat yowling, and sure enough, it was. A little black kitten had found its way into our backyard and had no way to get out. We eventually had to prop open the back gate just so it could leave, because every time I would put it outside our little yard, it would climb up and drop back in and have no way out. We just had to leave it, and try and get some sleep, but it kept yowling all night. Whoof. Two days later it finally disappeared, and later on I saw it running along with its mom cat. I'm attaching some pictures, some of the cat. I think Brandon will enjoy those pictures. I actually have a video but I can't send it right now due to camera difficulties. I'll try next week.
I'm out of stories for now! For a final checklist on things to send: Proper American peanut butter, Reeses, different flavor Mike&Ikes, Gardettos, picture book, pens, and I think that's about it. Pack it full of anything else you think I might like, though :) I'm sure my companion will enjoy tasting American treats no matter what they are.
Take care, and let the ward know I'm working hard. Mostly walking.
Love,
Elder Alsop
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