December 16, 2013....Training one of his Best Friends!

1.  So do you know when you will get to Skype for Christmas?  Christmas Day or another day?
 Christmas Day!

2.  Where did Elder Purser get transferred to?
Los Heroes... the rich part...He is a District Leader

3. How was the baptism? Do you have something after the baptism? (like refreshments? do ward members come?)
Good! Yeah ...there was a farewell party for a missionary so we had tortas

4.  How is the teaching coming with those you have found? 
Right now we´re stuck again but still working!

5.  Did Elder Paulson stay in the area or did he get transferred this change? 
He is still in the zone

6. Have you received your package from us yet? It should have arrived.
Yup.. got it this past week... thanks so much...I loved it!!!!!!!!!

Sounds like a pretty good week... sorry I'm not commenting too much on it
but I have so much to say from this past week so here I go....

First I can't stop thinking about that money charge ouch....that really
hurts....Anyways so we finished my training up and all was good.  I was
freaking out the day of changes... how could I do it? What was gonna
happen? I  just knew I was gonna get some person who wants to go home and
everything. So we get to the capilla for changes and who do I see? Mom...
"Stin" is freakin in my mission!!!!!! I was so happy when I saw him... it
seemed like forever! So then me and Gottschalk and Stin all took
pictures together and were like yeah Northridge baby!!! haha  It just
sucks Gottschalk leaves next week because I love that guy. But anyways we
had the meeting of trainers and trainees and you sit there just
wondering which of them is your next comp and who you will have to deal
with. So I knew I was getting a latino... there were only 5 gringos out
of the 25 or so Elders that came. So then we did all that and we
finally went to the changes presentation.... they showed all the pictures
and all that fun stuff then starting showing the pictures of
companionships. What I liked about this time around was that I knew
when I was coming up because I knew I was staying in Layco... So they keep
showing all the other areas in my zone and I was the only gringo
trainer going to changes in our Zone this change. Our whole zone is
now training every zone because some from last change are still training.
But anyways they show all the other areas in my zone and all were
latinos so  then I am like they are not gonna overrun the zone with latinos.. they
usually balance it out so I'm probably gonna get a gringo.... Finally they show Layco
they show my picture and the next picture who is it? FREAKING ELDER
SMITH OR SO CALLED......"STIN!"   MOM I'M TRAINING ONE OF MY BEST FRIENDS
OUT ON THE MISSION! I still can't believe it and don't think I ever
will.  Its the coolest thing ever because I wanna help him out so bad but
yeah its so cool!   I honestly can't express my feelings so I'm just gonna
stop. But he has way good work ethic and I have gotten way more organized
to help him and stuff... but Gottschalk hooked us up and told Prez we
would be good together so we still have a ton of responsibility and
being comp mayor I'm really feeling it ...but I just gotta work hard and
be way obedient.   This is the coolest thing ever Mom.

Well this week workwise was bad because we gotta find noobs and we didn't but we still
worked our butts off and soon it will pay off... between that  and we have been
catching up and what not but its a party here to say the least. Well
thats pretty much all I have.  I can't think of anything else but yeah
good baptism, crazy changes,  and now lovin life and working hard.
Well we are supposed to go bowling today too so yeah. But  I love you Mom and hope
you guys enjoy the holidays and what not... sorry for the big bills and
stuff....But thanks for everything Mom love you so much!
Elder Clev

Elder Cleverly, Elder Gottschalk, Elder Smith....."Northridge Buddies"

Pres and Sister Hintze, Elder Cleverly with his newbie  Elder Smith "Stin"...his friend from home...Crazy!

Christian's baptism..."Elder Stin's" first baptism with Elder Cleverly

They are already having fun together...haha! Watch out El Salvador

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December 9, 2013

1.  Why do you think you have gained weight?  Do your clothes feel tighter? 
because my belly is bigger! haha..I need to exercise a little more but yeah a
little tighter.

2.  With this being transfer week...have you heard anything about training or a new companion?
Um ..I'll explain below

3.  Do they have Christmas Decorations there? What do they do for Christmas?
Yes... lights little trees nothing huge but yeah

4.  Any spiritual experiences or crazy experiences this week?
Um...I'll explain below tambien


Sounds like an average week with the Fam... crazy but fun haha. Thats sweet about the snow.
I'm kinda mad because I realized how much I like it! Thats also cool about Stock keeping the W's and Ryan keeping the tradition. And yeah please try and send those M&Ms next time...I love those things! 

Well on to my crazy week..
So Wednesday we had intercambios with the Zone Leaders.  I stayed here with Elder Ralphs ...a way chill guy and we ruled this place. We found a couple noobs too. One is the hermana of one of our investigators.  She is really receptive and we hope to get to her because she influences her sister a lot. Another was we finally were able to contact William again.  It seems like intercambios brings him out haha. He just so happened to call in sick for the day and we just passed by but his schedule is still way difficult. A friend was there named David...I call him Davy Crockett...He is just as cool as William and has a ton more time.  We are hoping and praying for him so who knows. That night me and Ralphs roasted marshmallows in this ally thing in my house... it was
buck wild! He is probably leaving so it was our last party haha. The
next night I went to the fridge to eat some marshmallows when a call came... my comp answered and started screaming so I poked my head in and he is like YOUR TRAINING! I stood there and then yelled I NEED TO CHANGE MY PANTS I JUST CRAPPED! haha yes I'm still me. So yeah I'm going to train... the rumors are true Paul Walker died but there is a new Paul Walker (me) getting on the fast track haha.. we will see how this goes but I
need a lot of faith.  I feel so inadequate...I mean I end training this
week and start training this week too. The next day we went to the
Trainer meeting and I find out more than half of the people I came
with are all going to Belize now.. menos me. There is still work here for me and my Spanish will be better haha. Also we are gonna baptize Christian this Thursday... everything is good and ready to go! I'm gonna have my noob do it...It will be good for him. So yeah that was my crazy week...But I know everything is possible with faith. Just like all missionaries before without it nothing will happen but I would appreciate some prayers just in case haha.  Any crazy stories and such? I have one... I was teaching these investigators and started quoting  the 1st vision... all of a sudden they start laughing...I know that I hadn't messed up though and I look behind me and these two dogs our doing their thing... like what 
the heck!!!!  Definitely Satan is real and its usually dogs for me. Then this guy lights a random firework by us and then after that this guy rips a huge fart and that was the last straw but the lesson was good and they still felt the Spirit and want us to come back. Oh and be best friends with Elder Paulson's mom so we can party after the Mish...
But love you guys... we will see how this week goes! 
Love you mom and thanks for everything!
Elder Clev

Elder Clev with companion Elder Purser, Elder Garcia, and Elder Paulson

Thanksgiving in El Salvador with Elder Paulson and Elder Ralphs

Roasting Marshmallows...

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December 2, 2013

1.  How was your Thanksgiving with the Pres?
It was freakin sweet!!! 

2. Do you know if you get to Skype for the Christmas call or just call?  I will get a skype account set up for you just in case and email you the log in info next week.
I'm pretty sure Skype

3. Have you eaten any strange foods or anything that was gross?
Um No...I eat everything... there hasn't been the greatest things.. like pumpkin with miel (honey) and other stuff ..the whole thing was like black and wasn't that great and they drink oatmeal in this drink stuff not for breakfast...but nothing gross.

4.  Have you checked in the store for the Probiotics?
No sorry..I will.  I have been healthy so I try staying out of that place haha


Sounds like a usual holiday week haha. It probably was more enjoyable though because I wasn't there.  I know you were hinting at that haha. That's too bad about the Black Friday because I so would  have gone all out.. you know that no one can replace me though ...especially Austin and Cass! Thats so weird that the Football Banquet is tonight...I remember that like it was yesterday! Good memories to say the least but always more to come! Which leads me to my week...

So we did have Thanksgiving and it was way different but still really nice. It wasn't all of our mission because it was split into two days and we were the first. It was good to see old MTC buddies and all that but the best was the talks by our mission Pres and his wife. I know I always say it but I have the coolest mission parents! Paulson is friends with their son from the MTC and says he is his and mine missing piece haha....He says we  are partying at Presidents house after the mish haha. But the food was good and I ate a ton but not as much as a usual Thanksgiving. Mom.. its wrong to say but I think I am gaining weight out here haha! Its because I eat everything even if its something I hated at home. I have learned to like food in general haha... my comp calls me a black hole. Like yesterday, we ate after fasting and ate a ton at our house because we didn't think we would eat the rest of the day... well after a cita we passed by a members house and they were having a graduating party and gave us all this food and we had to stuff it all down haha. But I have ate some good things.. a little weird things too but I'm trying to expand my food selections.. like next week they have something called pan con pollo... its famous here during Navidad and I wanna try it and will next Domingo so we will see!

More about my week is we had another baptism fecha fall because they didn't come to church but one maintained... Christian did! We should have a baptism next Monday. Also next Monday I should know if I'm training or not so who knows! We also found this way cool family and find out they are recent converts in our area but another zone baptized them and that Ward is way far away. We were so mad because no one notified us and I think thats against the rules but they are way cool so I have an opportunity to strengthen this family in the gospel. Its not all about baptisms but keeping people in the church too. I got some pictures with the crazy family and the book! Haha I had to because the others I wasn't in! Another is with this guy we call "everywhere guy". He is a loco but he is everywhere.  I have even seen him on intercambios! haha so I had to get pic with him. But yeah thats kinda the party here in Layco.  Its weird.. its my last week of training...I'm almost done! 

Well its good to hear you guys are all doing good and having fun! Just keep being the family I know you guys to be! Love you Mom and I am always so grateful for you! Oh and Paulson got peanut m&ms and they didn't melt so peanut butter ones could come here! :)
Love you!
Elder Clev 

"Everywhere Guy"

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November 25, 2013

1. What school did Elder Paulson go to? Did he play Lacrosse? You said he got sick...did he get sick from taking meds or not taking meds?
Brighton, yes, not really sure why he got sick.

2. How did the baptism go this past week?  Who was it that got baptized because you didn't say who it was....
The baptism happened and it was a girl named Fatima or Gaby.  Her family are all members... her dad is sweet

3. So the 20 bucks for laundry...is that a week or month?
Month... come on Mom I'm not dumb!

4. Why do you feel that you will not baptize Theudy and that you are just preparing him for someone else
Because its just hard to contact him.  He is always busy but is always interested... maybe next month when he gets less busy

5. What time does Church start for you? 
9:00 ...woo!


Dang...sounds like quite the week...I dont even know what to say. Ah. But yeah playing soccer and all but hey I still don't like it! haha. We did find William and he got a new job! But its hard for him because he works Sundays and wants to go to church and is way receptive so we just are praying for something but its good he doesn't have to break the law anymore! I'm glad some people understand that baptizing youth isn't bad.. everyone makes fun of it saying its easy.   They focus alot on families and men... which I know why but I wanna help a future missionary too!
About my week... honestly not too much happened.  We did have our baptism which was good.  We thought this past week was Thanksgiving haha.  We even told everyone... no wonder it felt like an ordinary day because it was! haha We did meet another 14 year old girl and she wants to be baptized and her mom is interested too but is pretty busy so we`ll see. Also we are teaching a way receptive kid named Christian who is 14 and we have a baptism date for both of these  next month. Its funny Christian used to be in a gang and lives in a pretty dangerous area and I was told not to wear my boots because I tuck my pants in them like a G or as people say like Rambo haha...But it makes me look like a cop in that area so the members said to stop but after talking to Christian he says the gangs respect us so don't worry. So we`ve gained the respect of the gangs yea!!!!!  But all is going good here. Just trying to find more noobs now because its starting to get dry. I did have a good experience this week. While studying I was reading Our Search for Happiness by Elder Ballard and just realized how blessed I am and have been and how happy I am. I don't know..I just have been praying for a lot more revelation for myself and my investigators and have been getting it... its awesome. I have experiences where someone asks a hard question that I honestly don't know and I get revelation which is my direct answer and what I say ends up being the answer. Also another weird experience I have been having is my thoughts and dreams are in freakin Espanol! Its weird Mom... I also stop and go what the heck I'm changing! haha! Well that honestly was my week... sorry not much.  Are my emails always smaller than the ones Austin would send? Also what about the Philippines thingy... you never told me. 
Love you Mom... thanks for everything... you don't have crazy kids because you raised us right!
Elder Clev

Fatima's (Gaby ) Baptism

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November 18, 2013

1.  Does it rain very much there? 
No not right now but its random... but when it rains it pours

2.  Do you see very many animals around? What kinds? Birds?
Birds, rats, squirrels... not much because I am in the city

3.  What do you usually have for Breakfast?
Oatmeal or pancakes 

4.  How much do you have to pay to have your clothes washed?
20 bucks and ironed

5.  Is the baptism still on for this week?  Any other baptisms scheduled?
Yup! and another the 14 of December

6.  What have you learned from being companions with Elder Purser?
Ummm probably he has showed me how to show appreciation and love for the people

Haha yeah if you talk to Elder Paulson's mom you will find out about the meds haha.. he got pretty sick... it was funny ..he would call me like every night like what the heck! haha Thats sweet about Dave.   I'm so happy for that guy and everyone else getting calls and leaving its freakin nuts! Thats funny about Stock maybe I need to start giving him advice haha or humbling him up a bit :) Thanksgiving is the 29th for me... I freakin love my Mission Pres. Thats sweet about snow because I already miss it...
thought I would never say that! So now onto my week...

So I guess I should  have looked at more Wheres Waldo books because that was my week this week. All of a sudden its now Where's William? He has disappeared... never answers his phone and is never home... same with 2 other of the people we have been meeting with.  I have no idea what is going on. Thuedy is studying and everything is hard,  We have came to accept the fact we might not baptize him but that maybe we are preparing him for someone else. Also this past Miercoles we went to the temple and that was another story. The temple here is amazing! The rooms were freakin sweet and I understood everything this time.  It was awesome! Also there was carpet which is non existent here and I wore a
long sleeve shirt and wasn't hot haha. But most of all the Spirit. I
felt it so strong. When Joesph Smith was visited by angel Moroni, later he passed out and was fatigued. This was me for the next two days not that extreme but definitely tired because when you have big spiritual experiences your body isn't perfect and can't take it all. I learned that now but it was sweet. Also we found another mom and daughter to teach.. it was sweet.  We will see how it goes but I wanna baptize and get a guy! haha I know it will come though and that I'm just helping the people I need. Also this week we were walking and decided to contact this group of kids. 
So I started talking but they weren't interested so I asked... is it weird for 2 gringos to be speaking Spanish? Still no response so then I asked you guys  like soccer knowing I would get an answer.. they all  say yes..yes..  of course the answer I expected. Then I asked who is the best? They all pointed to this older kid so I said lets play then haha. Well being me I always expect to win. I scored the 1st two goals then got trumped 8 to 2 haha. But after they all were like who are you guys, what you doing here and everything ..it was awesome. We invited them to mutual and our futbol every p-day so we´ll see. They all are from different families and so that will see. They keep asking us and calling us to play too haha.  We could double the young mens here with all of them so I have 
faith and a vision. Well that was my week hopefully an even better one this week. Wish me luck today.. we play another zone in futbol and guess who we have as the scorer or whatever they call it? Yeah big bad me haha..I have gained respect from the latinos its sweet. 

OH! Also we had stake conference and our Mission Pres spoke..It was funny he said we can't eat pupusas until each ward gets 5 new families haha. It was a good funny talk... also the area 70 spoke and was like a black guy preaching... he was so animated with hand signals everything it was nuts! He was macheteing everyone and was like you can't be mas o menos.. thats not good enough! haha it was fun. Also did you hear about the Philippines mission and what happened there?  Is that Austin Tates mission or Keats?  Well love you guys...especially you Mom... keep the 
family going!  love you!
Love
Elder Clev

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November 11, 2013

1.  How long do you get to write emails on P-Day? Do you use an internet cafe?
one hour and 15 minutes... we go to my chapel and use the computers

2.  How is your clothing, shoes holding up?
Everything is holding up and keepin the style

3.   So you said you might have some potential baptisms....are there any scheduled?
Yes... not this Thursday but next!!! Also we had one but it fell
through because the guy didn't go to church ...so next month ...but he is interested!

Haha of course I have help.... if anything its the Lord working through me....its not me at all but its fun to say I rule Layco haha. Yeah the templo actividad (temple activity) was good.  That is sweet to hear about the friends... gosh
its so nice to hear how many good friends I have.  I am so lucky to have so many examples in my life. Thats sweet about Brock... I'm still holding out hope for Stin coming here haha ...because if he does come to my mission I'll go to his first change! My dream would be he comes here and I
train him haha.  That's alright about Cass... sounded dumb anyways.  Pie night...I  can't believe its been a year since that...Time has flown! Well I'm always praying for you guys and Stock to do his thing in bball.

My week... we found some more people... this family who aren't members but fed the missionaries one time and are pretty cool. Also finally contacted this guy we met named William.. he never answered our calls because he thought we were the police and since he is a pirate for his job
(he copies movies) he didn't wanna get caught. He is really cool and actually has a sad story... he was an orphan and knows a lot of other Mormon orphans in Utah haha... one named Melissa Smith hahaah! He speaks a little English and we pray he can find another job so his wife and 2
year old kid come back and so he doesn't have to break the law. Like on Knights Tale we need to change Williams stars!!!! haha...Thats our little joke. Thuedy is still doing good.  We found out his dad doesn't live with them... idk its a weird thing but we got invited into his house so we are gaining respect! His mom is funny and he always says after
the mission me and him can look at the girls faces hahaha..I always laugh and he says nooo its gooood!! haha  I love that kid. Well that really was it.  We killed another rat by bashing its head..I have a pic don't worry! Not too much has happened... we ran into family loca again haha.  They tell us new things every time. But we also decided to switch
up how we do lessons because I am probably training next and need to take control of lessons and they actually are now way better and I can feel the Spirit so much I love it. Well thats all keep it cool up there literally haha I love you Mom and all you guys keep staying strong I heard some new music and realize how terrible the world really has gotten its crazy to think it will just get worse so hang in there.. do whats right! Love you guys!


Elder Clev

Another rat...yuck!

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November 4, 2012

1.  So is Theully progressing?
 Um kinda... its just hard to meet with him but we found out his
parents are weird and we can't teach him in his house so its hard but we have talked to his dad and he is not that bad... actually he loves Americans... haha says we are correct haha

2. So how is it having 2 more missionaries with you? Is it permanent or a temporary till they find a place for them?  Are they cool?
That ended up not happening for who knows what... so its still Elder Clev ruling Layco!

3. Any new investigators?  
Yes! We knocked so many doors and it paid off... now we just have to meet with them

4.  Do they do anything for Halloween there? 
No it was weird and terrible haha ...but the end of this month we get Thanksgiving because my Mission Prez is sweet!

5. In the picture that you sent of your beds, was your bed the one where the fan was pointed at it? haha!
Of course!

6.  What have you learned the most since you have been there?
Um patience, diligence, charity...haha a lot!!! Also you would be proud ..I wash and keep everything clean.

Dang.. sounds like a sad story for football...Luckily Ryan has years to come and that I'll be back when he can play Varsity so I'm excited!
Thats cool about Stock... haha I can just imagine him playing haha. Thats good about Austin too..I'm glad because I really pray for every single one of you guys individually and so to see things are getting better helps me too. That's weird that now its pretty much only Kae doing that. I'll be honest ...I freakin miss Halloween like crazy!! And that is cool about Ryan's jacket you will have to send me a picture when its done.  
So my week was a crazy one! So we had changes and found out that no new missionaries were coming so now we have 2 of everything haha but I like not having to share yet! Some of our zone changed as we got a new area but all the missionaries are cool but one that left, Elder Garcia, this sweet Mexican can never be replaced.  He was the coolest guy and is now a Zone Leader getting spoiled haha.  He gave me my nickname "Style" as I always have "the style" haha.  Also we got a new Zone Leader who is way better than the other because the other was done and just wanted to be home which he got his wish but it made me realize I don't wanna be like that at the end of my mission and want to finish strong. It was nice to see the 2 new gringos and it feels like I got better overnight.. especially in Spanish!  Elder Paulson told me that would happen as it did to him when we came.   He is like my brother out here..I love that guy.
After we had a templo activity and I had to help be at a station and
explain the templo just outside the doors. I did this with my Zone
Leader over and over haha... but it was fun and really hot outside in our sacos!  We also got Wendys for lunch haha! But I realized that I was the youngest one helping and everyone I came with were like what the heck because it was a whole mission thing. Everyone there was like dang your gonna train next and I'm kinda scared if I do! I talked to Hermana Hintze there too (Mission Pres. Wife)...I love that lady and she is seriously my mom out here. I'm in such good hands here. She talked about and I think was hinting that I might train too.. so who knows! Also yesterday, we got a new member who came to us and said "vamos a bautizar!" (we want to be baptized)  And then was like "I'm serious...I have a 12 year old girl who wants to be baptized.".... we just have to set the date tomorrow so we might have another baptism!! Our goal is 6 this month as we have 6 potencials and thats not all the people we teach. So things are doing great! I have learned so much patience though and diligence too. A quote I love is by Jerry Rice that goes something like this "I'm gonna do what others won't today so tomorrow I can achieve what others can't" ...That is my goal now. Well glad to hear all is well.  I love you guys and keep enjoying the holidays we don't have haha...Thanks Mom for everything... something I have learned out here is how much I love you guys and how much you have helped me! So thanks... it has helped a lot...I love you again haha.
Elder Clev peacin out

Elder Cleverly's Zone

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