Idaho Boise Week 2

Hey Y'all,

This week was pretty good, they have whats called an "inversion" where smoke (from fires) coming from up north goes into the city and make it very dry and cloudy. I was able to meet more members this week and have come to see how great the people are here. I think in my last email I made it seem like I was miserable here, but only was homesick for a couple of days.. Once I got into the swing of things here its been great! We have been able to teach lots of lessons and do plenty of service. I got word that ill be headed to India November 17th, so i am very excited about that. I bought curry today, and will incorporate it into my meals so I can get use to extremely spicy food before I leave. I also learned that Rio de Janeiro is a place not a person. I had my birthday this week and thanks to The Denisons (the awesome family we live with) they celebrated my birthday. I was taken out to a place called Tacanos which is a Brazilian restaurant  and got to eat Brazilian food. Which is something I thought Ryan would only do and not me, but his is more authentic haha. It has been raining a lot here, which is okay cause I hear the East Coast is getting lots of rain. My companion and I wrote a song called "Chicken Waffle" which is a spin off racist version of the song "Chicken Fried" by Zac Brown Band. But going back to spiritual things, its very cool meeting people that were recently baptized and to hear how strong their testimonies are. We were walking down the street and a man started criticizing us about spreading the gospel, and telling us that he researched the church, which he didn't do very good research cause everything he said "we believed" wasn't anywhere near what we ACTUALLY believed, but all well. That was the excitement I got this week. When we went through a park I saw a bunch of India people playing volleyball which is all I see when I got to Bogan Park.. Indians are EVERYWHERE. Not much really happened, until next week!

Love, 

Elder Magnusson

Week 1 in Idaho!

Hey Y'all,

I woke up at 2:30 am Tuesday morning (October 6th) and got on a bus which took me to a train which took me to another train and then got me on a plane. We rode on the smallest plane I done ever ridden on. About an hour later landed in Boise which is known as "The city of Trees". So I went outside and saw two little twigs sticking out of the ground that they call "trees". 

I also learned what Boise State Broncos are, which is funny cause everyone here, hears more about Georgia Vs Alabama than Boise State. 

The air here constantly smells like cigarettes and the water tastes like pencil shavings (don't ask how I know that). The people here are sweeter than sweet tea and DEFINITELY are good at taking care of the missionaries. My companion is Elder Thompson, we are very different people and didn't exactly get along too well from the start. BUT we have been able to find our similarities and are able to build a better relationship off that. He's been out for a year now and says that: "I'm lucky to have him as a companion". 

I get fed every night. When I first got here we went to a boring meeting that didn't really apply to visa waiters. Then for lunch we had Idaho's attempt at making pulled pork which was dryer than an overdone 2 dollar steak. 

I finally got a temporary bike on Saturday and now don't have to walk. The wards we cover are basically two neighborhoods that are right next to each other (so our area's small). We are helping a guy from Scotland restore his RV and he enjoys my "Georgia Twang".   He's married  and has 2 kids and is investigating the church. We also helped set up a wedding reception for a couple people in our ward and made it easier to get to know people better. Elder Thompson is very good at playing the piano and plays country songs while I sing to them. Weird but we found something in common and are starting to become friends. 

The wards I cover is De Meyer park, and Hickories ward in the Meridian North Stake. According  to the Hickories ward I said "Y'all" too much when I bared my testimony on Sunday during fast and testimony meeting. We also have another investigator (Derek and Mary) who are gonna be  baptized in November. We helped them set up their garage sale and mowed their lawn. 

I have been pretty homesick this week, but have strengthened my relationship with Jesus. I now know why I'm in Boise, and am starting to realize why God is sending me to India. The scripture I pondered a lot this week was John 3:16. Me sacrificing my life for two years is nothing compared to what Jesus did for us. Anyways last thing is we taught a nice couple last night, and will see them next week. 

Love,

Elder Magnusson 

                                                                 This photo is from the MTC