01/13/2009 (Run that by me again?!?)

Well let’s start with my business. We have beaten the system. We have learned how to print our letters. It is 7 cents but I feel as though it is worth it. Second of all, we have figured out that if you open up a word document that you can write your letter and then copy and paste it into the email. Ergo… there is no time limit anymore. What missionaries will do to be intelligent!!

Now I will tell you some of the happenings that are going on here at the MTC.

Now if you would refer back to the title of my e-mail it states….. Run that by me again?!......that is because we have switched districts. We only had me and my 2 companions in my district. There was another district in another zone that only had four. They had it this way just in case some kids would come up from beginners. So they told us in the middle of class with 2 hours left until dinner that after dinner we were to go to the other district’s classroom for class. We were devastated. We were getting 2 new teachers. One of which substituted for our class at the beginning and he was super boring. He was even falling asleep in our class. That is not a joke. With us moving districts, it also entailed us moving classrooms, zones, which means we had to go to a different dorm that was down a floor. A lot has happened since last Thursday. We really didn’t want to do this but we did it anyways. The reason we have found out is because they have had 8 teachers since they got here and one of the elders said he felt like he was not progressing at all. He asked if he could just go to the mission field or be put into advanced. And this was the marvelous idea the MTC came up with. I can understand were he is coming from. But we just loved our teachers so much…especially Hermano Vance, he is way cool a really really smart and really new the gospel and loves missionary work. We have, however realized that there is a reason for the switch and we have become very good friends with the kid that was upset. We have been helping him and I think things are progressing for them and for us. Our 2 new teachers are Hermano Brodogar from Columbus, Ohio who served Chile Santiago West. And Hermano Hildago from Mexico who served in Roseville California. They have actually both have been really good teachers. Brodogar is really good and made us give lesson 1 in Spanish twice yesterday. All he does is speak to us in Spanish. If we don’t know a word he will describe it in Spanish, he won’t tell us the word in English. It is pretty fun.

We have four new Missionaries. Elder Hatch (the one that was upset) who is from Provo and serving in the Tucson mission. Elder Cortez from Houston who is also serving in the Tucson mission. Elder Black (the elder that was on our flight from Phoenix to Salt Lake, small world eh?) from LA who is serving in New York New York South. And Elder Fatheringham who is from Salt Lake and is serving in Costa Rica. Our new Branch Presidency seems really cool and funny. The branch President served in Lime Peru and is a judge by profession. I couldn’t tell you about the other 2 other than they seem really nice and funny because I didn’t not interview with them. So that’s how most of our week went. Exciting Eh?

I have heard the Cardinals are a win away from the super bowl. That is amazing!! Who would have thought that would happen 6 months ago.

It is actually really awesome every Wednesday when the new groups come in. The building where our classroom is at is actually perpendicular where you drive your car into so we always stand at the door there and watch them unload and take pictures. Usually when we see a group that just got let out walk by us we yell out…..welcome to the longest day of your life……most of my buddies think its mean but I just want to let them know that’s its long for everyone not just us. Oh heck who am I kidding I do it to be mean!!! But you have to have fun right?!?!?!

We sometimes go to the temple on Sundays to take pictures but we only do the sessions on Tuesday. We did sealings again today. We have all day for P-day but we have a devotional that starts a 7 and a meeting afterwards. That’s pretty much when it ends. So minus the temple and the hour and half we have to do laundry. We are pretty much writing letters all day. We sometimes have down time but not very often. The most down time comes on Sundays. The “fight” that I called it was nothing much of a fight. Just like a shouting match although they did have to be held back. The actually kissed and made up and one has left anyways so it’s all fine and dandy.

That is funny What Rex and Cooper did at Stacy’s house. I would let you send them to me but it says in the white bible that missionaries are not the have pets. It also says that missionaries are to sleep in the same room but not the same bed…..awkward! That’s hilarious Cooper went on the rodeo. I can’t believe dad went to find him. Where was he? Remember the Sunday before I left Rex got locked in the bathroom. I think Matt secretly left him there.

Well now for the happenings here the MTC. It hasn’t snowed since last Tuesday and the snow on the ground has begun to melt. I am in a shirt and a t-shirt today so it’s pretty warm.

Like I said we have begun to speak only Spanish. It has been fun. We will walk around the MTC and our teacher will tell us things in Spanish to help us remember them. I got a haircut last Wednesday. They cut my hair pretty short but I like it. I found out you don’t have to part your hair here in the MTC so I no longer have to look like goofy.

For the Sunday night devotional I had to usher. This just means I had to get there 45 minutes early, where a badge that said USHER and smile at people. We were supposed to make sure all the Elders had suit coats on. Luckily for there sakes I didn’t have to throw down on anybody. I really didn’t do much except twice I had to tell a row to scoot it. But it was still fun to look important at the height of 5’ 9”. I have been thinking lately since I have been here 4 weeks. I feel a lot older then a lot of the elders here even though I am probably the youngest. That is interesting how you mentioned that I look out for people’s feelings. I never even thought of that but it makes sense. Probably to a fault. It’s probably what a lot of my anxiety is. But it all works out.

Well I have probable bored you enough with all of my writing. Please forward this to all that it may concern. Remember the church is true. If you ever want to tell someone about the church, teach them about the light of Christ in their lives and I promise you the spirit will show them that it is true. There are probably a lot of typos in here but its too long for me to go back and read it. It is probably too long for you also. But keep up the good work. Mom and Dad did you guys every talk to your neighbors? Well I love you all and I know Christ has greater love for us then anyone in this world. He did die for us and did it out of pure love. Continually pray for the missionaries.

PS don’t you love long dry boring letters? Me too!