Family-

Well, I got my first letter a few days ago from Mom. It is great to hear about home and the things that you all are doing!

Everything is great here. It's been pretty hot lately. I'm adjusting to it though. I also think that I am adjusting to the work. I'm feeling a bit more confident with talking to people, my teaching skills still need a lot of work though. I remember when Erik was on mission and he wrote home and said that he was finally feeling that he can be himself and even make people laugh (because of the language barrier) Well, I am actually feeling the same way! It's strange because even though I'm not speaking a language, I still needed to go through an adjustment period. Finally last night I realized that I was getting my personality back!

Even though I am not speaking and foreign language, sometimes I feel like I am. Just because of the accent, a lot of people have a hard time understanding me and I them. It's getting better though! :)

Sister Merkley and I are feeling a little frustrated right now just because the branch here is slowly dwindling away. There are so many less actives! It's because the Afrikaans people are very laid back and tend to be noncommittal. I don't mean that in a rude way, it's just the facts. We've been having a rough time also because our weeks are completely packed with appointments, but we'll go a whole day without one because they'll all dog us! It's very frustrating! But the people here are So incredibly kind. It is amazing. I haven't had one person be rude to me yet or one slammed door. I'm sure it will happen sometime, but they are ALL so willing to listen to us. They are a very church going people. I think that has a lot to do with the fact that they teach religion in school. I think also that they are all quite tolerant of different religions because of the same reason.

I am making a tape to send home soon. The batteries died so I have to buy some more then I'll send it. Probably next Monday (p-day). I also will be sending home a package. I will come by slow boat, so it will take a couple months from the time I send it. Remember how I bought the plug adapters and stuff? (for my curling iron and such?) They sold me the wrong adapter. It says that it is for South Africa, but it is not. I can't buy one here. So I am sending that stuff and also my curling irons and hair dryer because I don't want to lug them around with me. I'll have to buy others down here. At this point I am just not using anything like that, so I am fine for now.

How are things going with Paragon? Has the money come in yet? Or are they still putting you off?

In mom's letter it says that Erik was in Hawaii and Dee is planning on going, does that mean that the program is going again?

Hey Mike! My companion thinks you are a BABE!! She freaked out when she saw your picture. But sorry, she is 22 and she is also basically engaged. By the way, why haven't you written to me???

We have a cockroach! I saw him in our kitchen last week. He is HUGE! I told my companion about him. She laughed at me whenever I referred to him as "the" cockroach. But last night she saw him also. Now she understands that this is "the" cockroach because he is enormous!!!! When we saw him we were in too much awe to think about killing him. When we finally thought about it and tried he crawled away into our cupboard and disappeared. We named him Brent. Sis. Merkley is going to catch him and run him through a laminating machine and send him home. So the best I can do is maybe a picture! :) (If we ever find him again)

Yesterday for our dinner appointment with one of the members we had fondu. I felt like it was my birthday! They did it a little different just because they had 5 different meats. There was steak, chicken, bacon, pork sausage and Boordivoor (sausage) It was quite interesting!

Well, I should probably end here. I've run out of things to tell you. I love you all so much! My prayers are with you. I hope all is well there! Know that I am well and happy. I love being a missionary! One more week and I will have been in South Africa for a month! It is flying by!

Take care! Please write (Mike!) :)

Love you all!
Michelle :)