Elder Jacob Bentz: New Year's Eve

Look! Im drinking mate! Ha jk, this was pablo's present for me.

Crazy Argentine Chicken

Family,

It was so awesome to get to talk to you last week!!! You haven't really changed at all; just look older. I'm sorry that I wasn't as happy or talkative as you probably hoped I'd be. I've just been having a hard time, as you know. I too hope it will get better, and soon. We have transfers this Wednesday, so we'll have to see what happens. I've been in the same area with the same companion for about 12 weeks now. That's a long time! I think it's about time for a change of scenery. Hopefully that will happen this week. Seriously though, it was so great to talk to you AND see you. Even though the Internet where I was wasn't very good. I forgot to say thank you for the Christmas presents! They completely made my day. And my week (: So how's everything been at home? Doesn't school start soon? Holy cow, Taylor GRADUATES soon! Like, REALLY soon!!! That's crazy!!! Are you ready for that, Taylor??? I can't believe it's already 2013. This will be my first and only full year in the mission field. I keep wondering how much I will grow and change and what challenges I'll have to go through. I hope I'll be able to handle it, because I feel like I haven't handled very well what I've already gone through. Can you believe I'll be turning 20 soon?? I can't. I feel so.... OLD. Yes, I have documented EVERY SINGLE DAY so far up till now. I haven't missed one day. That's the one and only thing I've done perfectly so far on my mission (; It's actually been really helpful to read back and see how far I've come. That'd be another recommendation for Taylor. Keep a journal of every single day of your mission, even if it's just once sentence that you have to write the next morning. You'll be glad you did. Also, go walking. A lot. Starting exercising would be really good too. And no, drinking coke is actually AGAINST the rules in this mission. But the food hasn't been TOO much of a problem lately. What kills me is the instant changes between boiling hot and then cold. OHHH! I forgot to mention this on skype! You know what would be an AWESOME birthday present? Music. I need music. I was thinking maybe you could go through my itunes and put all my classical, jazz, stuff I made, and any other music that you think would be mission appropriate onto bunch of Cd's and send them to me. I would like that. A lot (: Well, I think that's about it for now. I love and miss you all. Oh, and sorry I haven't sent pics for so long. I'll do that today.