Tax dollars to waste (Ben letter/pictures 2/15/2019)

So as you can tell by the title, I'm am not the least bit proud of the Richland or Provo Police stations, as I have done 3 and almost 4 visa applications. We specifically asked each time to have the police clearance letter, but they have failed to do the correct one. At the Provo one, I asked them specifically for a certain kind, payed $20 each time, and at the end asked if it was the right one. Well, I'm going back another time, and hopefully my $20 doesn't go to waste once again. 

Also that was an interesting experience. When we went the first time, my companion slipped out of the van and got all wet from the snow slush on the street. Then when we went in there, everybody stared at us. And also some women were like wailing and were yelling for a restraining order asap. Then an old lady was swearing like a sailor when talking to a policeman, about how she doesn't care if the roads are slippery, if someone almost hits them on accident then they should be arrested. Anyways, we have to go back. 

So this week Elder Soares came into the MTC and gave a talk on obeying the laws and commandments, and what types of blessing you will get from keeping those laws. As for me, this week has been rough, but not emotionally. I have been sick the whole week, and yesterday and today I have had a fever, so I'm going into the medical clinic to get tested for strep throat. So that's lame. However, I went to all my classes and did all my duties so that was good. And it's a good thing I'm not missing class because we are still learning a lot, but it's just hard when I'm sick. A lot of our MTC friends left to their missions and got replaced by new ones. All of them are going to Portugal. And some Brazil. There are about 35 new guys on our floor alone, and most of them are cool. There is this one Mexican guy from LA, and he ran track. Nobody bothered to ask him how good he was. But I did. And boy is he fast. He ran a 4:10 in the mile and got a ton of full ride scholarships. Like LSU and good teams like that. Anyway, thought that was cool. Besides that I'm locked inside all day, so not many good stories to tell.

As for a spiritual thought, I got a priesthood blessing from my district about my sickness. Although I wasn't healed, it was part of my blessing that I would be able to do the work I needed to do, and learn what I needed to learn. So every time I go to class, I feel so much better and I am able to get what I need out of class, almost better then my normal self. 

 Anyway its pretty cool.

Love yall

Tai Iubesc

Varstnicul Stanfield

They changed the policy about calling home on Friday and a couple hours later I was skyping with Ben because Friday is his Prep Day (pday) in the MTC. We talked while his laundry was going. He wasn't feeling too great, but it was still fun to talk to him and see his companion. He is frustrated with his visa paperwork and is worried he might have to be reassigned until it comes through. Romania would be an option. So we're crossing our fingers it all works out.