Hemingway

You know how sometimes you get a bad haircut and there are a bunch of people that say "Hey! It looks nice!" but deep down inside you know they're probably just tellin a white lie? Yeah... that's how i feel about my writing. 

Anyways... I bet the wedding was a blast. The pictures sure looked nice. I'm doing okay over here in the green hills of Africa ya know. I don't have a lot to say this week, but maybe I'll abandon all plans and live like Hemingway when I'm home? Markin' my own path, seein' what the world has to offer with my trusty companion, a flask (filled with kool-aid). We will just have to see.

Now here's something to ponder during the week ahead: Let's say you walk up to a friend and you say "Here's some cash, blablabla no matter what may happen, you can't give it back to me, I will be a better person". The buddy says "Okay sure, I promise." and life moves on. Later you find yourself in a little bit of a pickle and you go back to your buddy, beggin' for the cash back. If he is a true friend, he will honor the first promise and hold it in reserve, right? He wants you to become the greater man! That is kinda like our Heavenly Father. In the preexistence we said "Send me down there and put me through whatever is necessary to reach the potential you have for me!" and then we come down here on earth and say things such as, "Okay Heavenly Father! I've had as much as I can take! Stop the train! I'll be getting off here!", then he honors the first promise we made! God is our friend! He wants the best for us. That is why we pass through trials like missing funerals, or weddings, or birthdays. It's because we are striving to reach a higher level. Life is never at any times easy. But with God, it is ALWAYS worth it. I know these things are true! And I love you all very much! Goodbye for now.

-elder fraga

Underfed and abused lion. I saw this guy a while back...

These are the monkeys that hissed at me!

Swahili Name Badge

Conner's Wedding Toast

September 16, 2017

Well, ladies and gents, good morning! Or goodnight! (Depending on which side of the planet you live on...) haha...

*Please grab your tie and move it around a bit*

I have never been this nervous for something I wasn’t attending, in a very long time!... Not a joke. I’m sitting here behind this keyboard, and my heart is pounding out of my chest! I’m kind of just speechless!

Conner! I can’t believe you made it! I’ll give ya your five bucks when I get back home! 

What a special event it is to see two people who love each other as much as you two do, prepare to enter into a covenant that will bind you guys together forever. I’m proud of you, and I love you both. But, you know I haven’t ever written a talk for someone’s wedding- let alone a sibling’s, and my time is running out here in the cyber, so I’ll have to keep this short. But, I just want to say, it’s been quite the journey, and I’m glad I've been able to see it just about every step of the way.

Con-man you've come a long way from the boy that used to put me in a cardboard box and throw me down the stairs to now, and might I say, you’ve grown from a little boy into a much bigger boy during that time, and my love for you has only increased... I have always looked up to you. Indeed, you've been a powerful example to us in our lives, and I’m proud to call you my brother. You have had the lofty task of being the example in this family, marking the way for the rest of us, and we have all benefited from your decisions, greatest of all for me is your example of serving a mission, you gave me so much confidence when I was putting my papers in, and because of you, I am where I am today. You have an incredible gift for creating and playing music, and your taste in music has been the source of what we have listened to pretty much all our lives! When we were younger, you would play music when we were falling asleep, and whenever it wasn’t playing, I just would not be able to doze off. You have always been there for me, and it’s been a great comfort. I know you’ll always be there for Amber.

Amber! I’m so happy that you are going to be a part of this family! One of the first times I really got to know you, was in the basement of our home with some of my buddies... We were playing a card game that’s similar to apples to apples... Haha... and everyone was laughing the whole night! When you and Conner left, all my friends were talking about how great you are and how awesome it was that you were dating Conner! I felt so proud, and from that day I always knew you were legit and if you were willing to play the card game that way, I knew you’d fit right in.

And now, you are both sitting there together on... umm... some day that is close to your wedding day?... (This would be a lot easier if I were there)... About to start a new life as one! I know without a doubt that you guys are making the correct choice, and I know without a doubt that after you guys step outside of the temple tomorrow you will be bound together not only until death but for the rest of time and all eternity, because that is what this wonderful restored gospel has to offer each and every one of us! A connection beyond the grave! You two were made for each other, and even though I can’t be there with you, my happiness is full with this decision you have made together and the example you have set for me. I hope you are more happy on your wedding day than you have ever been before!

Now, I have always wanted to do this, so... Haha... get a pitcher or something for me, but imma raise a glass of filtered water over here and you all raise a glass of whatever the heck you’re drinking to the years you have ahead of you! May they be filled with happiness and love beyond measure! Again, I love you guys so much. Words cannot express my joy. But I want you to always remember who loves you more. I can promise you that our Heavenly Father is filled with satisfaction because of the actions that you are going to make, and that he will pour out SO many blessings upon you guys! Um.... amen? I don’t know... I don’t know how to end a toast... If you haven't put your glasses down by now, I’m sure it’s all right if you do.... Love you guys!
Elder Fraga

Can't Tell If I'm Getting More Creative Or Goin' Insane...

September 11, 2017

A recent conversation went as follows:

Man: "hey man... what have you been hittin?"

Me: "Excuse me?..."

Man: "You're gettin’ super skinny man, it looks like you've been doing drugs."

Me: "gosh... Well, I don’t know what to tell ya man?..." *in my head, "wow that’s the nicest compliment I've ever been given here in Kisumu"

So, I guess all these morning exercises have been helping! Or I have worms... But I think it’s the exercises... But I think something is wrong with my head. Lately I have been waking up before my alarm goes off? I've been cooking delicious and healthy food? There has not been a dirty plate left in the sink for more than 10 seconds? The apartment has been cleaner than any other apartment I have ever seen owned by missionaries? And my closet is staying organized?... I think something is wrong... It sure is a change, but change is good! And I think this is really helping me to become a better missionary and a less wild (kinda sad...) man.

 I don’t have much to say this week, but we went to Eldoret for a mission tour with Elder S Mark Palmer! And it was one of the best days of my entire mission! The spirit was so strong, and he said many things the strengthened me, and sparked an inner reflection. At the beginning of the whole meeting he shook each and every one of ours hands and looked deep into ours eyes, and when he did that, I was kinda like "Gosh... this guy knows more about me than I know about myself right now,..." And it was amazing! Then he told us about light, and it reminded me of my favorite scripture, Matthew 5:14-16- I really don’t have a lot of time because I’ve got to write something else, but read the scripture and ask yourself "What can I do to better let my light shine?" And then remember that just as important as what you do is who you are! We must always be looking for ways to develop our Christ like attributes, so that we can glorify our Father which art in heaven!

Woo hoo! I love scriptures!

Love you all! Goodbye for now!

Redbull Fingers

September 4, 2017

Well, I've got 30 minutes to email you guys, and I'm hoping my fingers will move fast.

First off, I will apologize again for how quiet I have been over the past couple of weeks! I hope I haven't worried you guys or anything! That was not my intent! With that being said, though I may not be able to recount all the events that have transpired since I went into sleep mode, rest assured, I have been keeping a VERY good journal of my time here, and there will not be even one story that goes unread when I get home!

Recent news: MOM! Yes I've been getting all of the postcards!!! They are super awesome and my collection is really starting to pile up! I really liked that Paris triple combo one! It was sweet, and those ones from Hong Kong of the junk and Bruce Lee?! Way sweet! I will say that I definitely want to go to Seattle and see those totem poles one day, and I want to go with YOU guys! Haha when I got the post card of the half naked man lifting those weights, the sister missionaries saw and i had to PRY it out of their fingers... When you're in the mission field, it feels like a drought... I understand more than ever why dad would always tell me "you gotta fill up your canteen! your leaving on your mission soon!" when I was sitting at home watching tv instead of going out and makin' love with the city. (I hope that doesn't mean anything too dirty...) 

Okay, I have also received news that there is a package for me in Kenya!!! Super excited! Thank you guys so much! I don't have it yet though... The zone leaders decided to be dinckledorks and take it all the way to Busia with them instead of dropping it off here when they were in Kisumu for 30 MINUTES. I think they're tryin' to torture me... none the less it will be in my sweet arms on the morrow...

Now, life is treating me well here in the big K. We are working our butts off in this hot Kisumu sun, and we are now starting to see the fruits of our labors and it does quite the job at fillin' the tank to be takin' on more investigators! We had one baptism last week for a cool kid named Owen. He is super rad and he would also take really in depth notes when we were teaching him the discussions! This week, we had two more baptisms! One for a sister named Cynthia, super friendly and she is always super happy. You could not believe her joy to be baptized, and on her birthday too! The next was Belitah we have been teaching her and her husband since I first got to the area, and initially, the husband, Brian, was stoked about the church and she was a little iffy. But after fervent study and heartfelt prayer she gained a solid testimony of the truth. When she came out of the water, the spirit was SO strong and she even shed a few tears... She is amazing. Next week we plan on having a baptism for a man named Romeo, but we are still working a few things out with him before he makes the covenant. (He travels a LOT for his job, but he is extremely ready and we have great hope for him!)

Over the past few weeks here in Kisumu I have decided to try something new. I have put a great emphasis on reading from and applying the teachings from Preach My Gospel! Throughout my mission I have really had the mindset of wanting to really read from the standard works, but PMG is seriously the shiz! It's got everything we need as missionaries and I have noticed a big change since I have started incorporating it into my missionary life! But the best part of preach my gospel is that it isn't just for missionaries! It is for all members of the church and it is there to help strengthen each and every one of us! For those who are preparing to serve a mission, I strongly encourage: READ THE PMG! And for those who have already served missions: READ THE PMG! And for those who never served, or are still iffy about whether or not to go: READ THE PMG! What a great blessing it is to have such an organization in the church to provide great study guides like this one! I promise you that it can and will help build your testimony and knowledge on our great Savior and loving Heavenly Father!

Adventure time! I am not joking when I say everyday is an adventure here in Kenya... It really is and I have had my fair share of them over the past few weeks. Let me share just a couple with you. The other day, me and the Kisumu boys (Elder Covarrubias and Elder Ngele included) were invited over to a member's house to have lunch and a little message, so of course we went! We were visiting Matthew and Durcas. They have a really cute son who's name is Heleman, and whenever we go over there he is always running around causin' trouble, ha. We had a nice discussion and the food was great! Chapati and green grams always hit the spot! But midway through our meal, Durcas looks over at the doorway and screams "HELEMAN!!! NO!!!!!" We look over, and he had decided to try Elder Fraga's shoes on for a little while. We giggle, then I see it. My jaw drops as the laughter from the other missionaries increases... The two eyed devil was peeing himself. Seriously, the lady picked my shoes up and POURED the urine out of them because of how much there was... I was pissed and I had to walk all the way home in my pee-shoes.

As you guys know, the courts recently called for a re-election because of the case that the losing opponent, Raila Odinga set before them. Here in Kisumu, pretty much everyone loves Raila and that was part of the reason we had to flee this place the last time people voted! But, we were sitting in our flat just chillin' because we were on lock-down for yet another day this week, and we hear people yelling! So, we go outside, see people dancing, hugging, and all the car horns were honking! But the worst part, is that there were even people running around NAKED on the streets because the courts ruled in their favor...people are crazy..

But of all the adventures we have gone on lately, the following is the best: We went to Busia for DDM and before the meeting we decided to go help a member in their shamba! After we were done with the field work, we decided to wander around a little. So we hit the trail and start moving! We saw a quarry, we ate some berries (we had previous knowledge that they were edible, don't worry.) and I even held a cute little hedgehog that we found! The whole time, I'm like "Guys! Kenya believe this?!". Then I decide to ask a dude where we are me:"u hali gani bwana!" guy:"sana!" me: "sisi co wapi buddha?" guy:"nyi nyi ya uganda, karibuni." I slowly turn my head to the boys, "UGANDA BE KIDDING ME..." So yeah, we pretty much went to Uganda the other day and it was pretty sweet! Enjoyed my time across the border. We got some food, and I exchanged my Kenya shillings for Ugandan shillings which are cool. By the way, I have currency from like 5 African countries now. I'm pretty excited to show you guys when this is all over.

Thoughts that have been on my mind this week:

Mom- do you remember all those times you used to find my car in the Harmon's parking lot when Ethan and I were supposed to be at school?... Haha you'd always park next to us to make us feel guilty! Ahhh... it was the best... Ha! You'd even write a little message on your used receipts like "get your A$$ to school" and stuff like that. good times good times...

Dad- remember when we went on that super legendary trip down to Zion's? Super fun time in the park but one of the best parts was the drive down. We were seriously blasting the music and the songs were all building up to "Enter Sandman". After the song ended, we turned down the music and we were just laughing, and our ears were ringing... Man, that's one for the books...

Conner and Aanika- Remember when we used to go to Hot Topic all the time together and get cool shirts, like our matching Legend of Zelda ones and then we'd cruise around the Precision Time warehouse wearing them together feelin' like we owned the place? Or when we'd watch awesome tv shows like The Walking Dead and TD, or even just Adventure Time? And all the late nights playing Pokemon, or Smash Bros or Minecraft together! 

And Aanika, remember all those drives up to make-out point -NOT TO MAKE OUT OBVIOUSLY- Listening to Blood by The Middle East and For Emma Forever Ago by Bon Iver, pretty much holding back tears and just talkin' about life? Or watching New Girl together on the floor of Mom and Dad's room cause we didn't want to mess up their neatly made bed?

I'm not even joking. We've got the best family ever. I hope you guys are all doing well, and I love ya tons. Can't wait till we are reunited one day. Mmmmmuuaa!

-elder fraga/aidan

I hope this letter was long enough for you! I sure do love you! ALSO! My Swahili name tag came! It's cool!