Just Another Week...Until Christmas

Chiclayo Zone



Where are we going?



Hey, how are things back home?  Is the house swamped with the family yet?  Even so, I wish I was there.

So I´m down to 100 kilos as of last Wednesday.  I almost don´t fit into my pants that I brought from home anymore.  My belts are definitely too big.  It's getting to be a problem.  If I lose much more weight I´ll have to go buy all new clothes.  My health is still pretty bad, but surprisingly this week I don´t have anything new to report health wise.  That is a nice change.    We got the opportunity to watch some conference talks and a short Christmas clip this week, but as it was all in Spanish, I couldn´t understand anything.  That just made me homesick.  However, this week I did get the opportunity to talk with Elder Uceda of the Seventy.  He talked at a mission conference and afterwards choose a few missionaries from every area to speak with.  I was the lucky one.  Other than that, well, it was just another week.  Anyway I forwarded another email with some pictures for you.  I love you both and hope all is well back home. I´m out of time to write more.  But Dad,  if all the family is at home, you ought to put them to work and finish Grandma´s basement for you. Remind them this is the season to serve...   :- )

I love you, Elder Nate Thomson

First Transfer

 

I´m trying to attach a few pictures with this email. 

Hey, I have a new companion and I got my third baptism this week. My companion´s name is Elder Hatch. from Provo, a neighbor.  My new area is called Los Amautas; its on the other side of central Chiclayo toward the beach.  I still am having some health trouble, but at least I can talk with someone! That has been nice.
   I got a letter from Arleni, one of the members in Alabama that I was friends with.  It was really cool hearing from her.  She was in my English class with her two daughters.  She just wrote to say thanks for all the help (my last service and lesson while I was in Alabama) and to comeback to Alabama someday to visit her.  She is one of the most spiritually sensitive people I have ever met.  It made me miss my time in Alabama.  But, if nothing else, I did enjoy the letter!

    In answer to your other question, yeah, I did get Katherine´s letter, but I really am pressed for time with email.  I wrote you a letter and Aaron a letter today as well as a quick note to Jeff and I am all out of time.  I did get Jeff and JT's package and we ate the bread in the first day and a half.  We got it right before it started molding.  I now have enough fudge and beef jerky for the next long while.  I´m in my room with another companionship and the 4 of us have been going to town on that fudge. We have eaten less than half of it in the last 4 or 5 days.  I should get your package this week too.  Thanks!  Tell Katherine thank you so much for the letter! She is one of the few people back home I have heard from since I entered the mission.  Tell her that several missionaries have wanted to buy the ties she gave me before leaving! Tell her thanks for everything and sorry she hasn´t heard from me but that I will try to get a letter out to here as soon as I possibly can! 

We had a baptism Saturday.   I baptized one and my comp, the other.  We have another baptism next week and a couple more people almost ready for baptism, hopefully in the next short while.  This area is a little more third world, but soon will be the most modern part of Chiclayo.  The entire area is getting modernized,  so in the next year or so,  this will be the nicest part of the city.  But for the moment, it's one of the most primitive.  

New Comp,  Elder Hatch

I love you.  I have just a couple minutes left to write.  Thanks for the support!

Elder Thomson

The Baptism

Dear Family,
Hey, how is everything at home? Sounds like Thanksgiving was good.  I have tried to include some pictures of Peru with this letter and of a baptism I had here.   I was so happy for the boy and the girl that were baptized because they wanted it so much.  We are trying to get the mom and other brother to join them.
I took a picture of a catholic shrine.  It was a little tricky because the people seem touchy when you take pictures of their shrines.  I am not sure why.  Anyway, here it is.  We had a P-day out at the beach.  That is the other picture.  We played football and had some fun.

 


Baptism






Peruvian Shrine



I´m still having health issues and it seems like every week new infirmities appear.  My knee is still giving me trouble and I am still having problems eating.  I still feel super sick after every meal, but the diarrhea has improved.  That might be because I have been eating the peanut butter and the American food mom sent me for at least one meal a day when I can.  I have learned how to force myself to eat rice so that is back in my diet but when I come home, I never want to see rice again in my life.  My cyst is still here but its completely numb now.  Don´t know if that's good or bad, but it is more or less deflated now.   I do love you and hope the family has Happy Holidays.  I will email next week.  Take care and I wish you all the best.  If I can, I will send a package home with stuff for the family.

Much love,
Elder Nate Thomson



Chiclayo Beach



Some Weeks Are Better Than Others!

31 October 2011



MTC friends





Dear Family

Hey, thanks for the letters!  Its always great to hear from the family.  James was trying to make me homesick with detailed descriptions of pie and other things, but that's OK.  I have chicken!  (haha)  Speaking of which, remember how Bryce said that all the food he had in the MTC was chicken and rice every meal, everyday?  It turns out that is not just the MTC. That is normal.  And they don´t waste any food either.  Last week, we had chicken.  First the legs, then the wings, then intestines, heart. etc., they love their chicken here!  But there is something in the food here that I cannot eat.  No idea what.  I have been really sick here for the last week.  I thought it was the stomach flu or something, but I´m pretty sure now it's the food.  Everytime I eat anything, I immediately feel sick.  I feel sick for 7 or 8 hours after even if it's only a bite or two.  So for the last day or 2,  I have been living on clean water and an occasional piece of bread.  They keep trying to give me these ¨native recipes¨ that will ¨cure¨ me, but I think I'm just going to wait it out.  I tried to send you some pictures this time.  These are some of Alabama and Peru.  One of Panaria Deliciosa in AL  and the other of a trailer park in AL.  I will send more picture in another email if I have time.  The last is of the MTC with friends,  but it's taking a million years to add them so we will see.  I´m going to send this really quick and put more in another email.   I will write more in that one.

Here are a few more!  These are more of Alabama.

Anyway,  I have decided that I really don´t like this city.  I love the people, but the city itself I don´t like.  Pretty much everything here is in a state of disrepair or destruction.   The streets and building are full of garbage.  It's really bad.  They have these epic holes in the sidewalk for something.  I think it's for water (?), but I have no idea.  So far,  I have only seen ones full of garbage.  But, these holes are small and deep,  like 1 foot by 2 feet by 4 feet.  I  found one the other day that was open and I stepped in it.  So I´ve got a hurt knee on top of everything else.   This has been a pretty miserable week for me so far, but oh well,  I guess I´ll survive somehow.  No really new stories for this week.  For that package, don´t worry about sending a basketball, but if you could, I have my football downstairs that you could deflate and send.   Footballs are non existant here in any kind of quality.  Also, send my Black CTR ring if you could.  Thanks and if it's a problem, don´t worry about it.  I can go without.

Thanks for the letters.  I love you so much.  I hope Halloween was fun for the kids! Sounds like everything is going well back home.  I will let my friends know that they can send their mail to you and you will forward it, just as soon as I figure out how to send mail from here.

I love you.  Take care and enjoy your week!

 

Panaria Deliciosa



Leaving Birmingham, Alabama



Hola, Peru!

24 October 2011

 

Que pasa familia!

Hey! How is everything? Yes, I finally made it! I´m finally here in Peru.  Lots of planes, no trains and I am afraid of the automobiles here.  I thought they drove bad in Italy!  At least they stopped at stop lights in Italy.  Here its optional.  But its a lot of fun! Yes, I have a pensionista! She is super nice and patient with my lack of Spanish.  My new comp´s name is Elder Palacios.  I thought maybe a relation to the Palacios in our ward, but no, and he does speak English... kinda. He speaks English about the same amount of spanish I speak.  But, his is British English so even then it's difficult to get the point across sometimes.  He is from Lima.    Then, in answer to your next question, YES! Jalapaños and habiñeros would be more than welcome! The food is kinda bland sometimes. I had some of their ¨spicy¨ food the other day... and uhh... it had good flavor (not spicy at all).  Also recipes! I would apreciate those too... and if you are sending a care package... could you find a football and a basketball for me?  It's about 25 dollars American for a piece of junk basketball or football.  Both would be welcome!  (Remember, plaster the sucker with pictures of Jesus and The Virgin Mary. or else someone else will be very greatful for the stuff.

 

The mission here is really nice! It's very hot. Not too bad humitity wise, but it is basically a desert.  My comp said it never rains here...like ever...and if it does, its a minor sprinkle.  I am guessing I'm in for a hot couple of years.  Que mas.  My mission president is super cool!  He is a very nice guy and speaks a tiny bit of English.  As long as we only talk about church related stuff, it goes ok!  I don´t know many words outside of the Preach my Gospel lessons.  I´m serving in Chiclayo for the moment, the José Balta area.  I don´t know if you will be able to find that or not.  It might just be a church related name.  It's nice here.  There is one thing that is a little strange, though. I have yet to see a completed building.  Every building has rebar sticking out the top of it like it's ready for another level.  Its interesting! 

Most people are really nice to us.  We were giving some poor guy a hard time the other day.  We were tracting and came to a door, when the guy opened the door, he wouldn´t let us speak at all and quickly slamed the door.   We went on to the next one and while we were waiting, he came out to throw something away so we said "hi" again!  We started talking to him while he couldn´t do anything about it.  Then suddenly, he found something interesting on the sidewalk and followed it, making sure to avoid looking at us till he was out of sight.  I found it entertaining.  Another door, the guy answered it, looked at us, didn´t say a word and before we could, he slammed it shut.  My first real door slamed in my face!! :)  Then, another part of the city, a pentacostal person tried getting us to come with him to his church.  I took his flyer for my journal.  It's a lot of fun! The other thing, apparently we live right above a Catholic family and we hear them doing what ever it is they do below us almost everyday.  What is it? Well, your guess is as good as mine.  I have no idea.  IT comes through the window, though.  We open our window and play hymns for them to listen too.  During their mass last night, I wanted to start a chorus of "Called to Serve", but Elder Palacios said no.  Oh well, I guess I need to learn respect.  There is always next Sunday.  Two doors down from us is another church.  We always are very friendly and give out our pass along cards like candy during their meetings.  No just kidding.  But I´ve thought about it more than once.  Apparently, its a bad idea to upset our nieghbors. 

Devin, Aaron, Nate in the MTC

 I really am enjoying it here and learning a lot.  It's about as different from our culture as you can get.  The people are great and very friendly!   If you don´t mind,  I would like to give my freinds your email, Mom.  Could you forward letters to me? It will cost and arm and a leg to send letters.   I don´t know how much international stamps are back there, but here it sounds like they get kinda pricey.  I haven´t seen a post office in all of Peru yet, so I´m not sure how that works.  Well I love you.  Thanks for all the support! And, if you send a package,  any new pictures would be nice to have too! I love you so much and miss you all at home.  I hope things start looking up for the Ward.  I´ll keep everyone in my prayers.  Take care! Give everyone my love!  I love you

Up, Up and Away To Peru

17 October 2011
Nate called last night to let us know he had his visa.  He is on his way to Peru and should arrive in Lima tonight around 10 PM Lima time.  It was so good to talk to him.  He said only 3 visas came and his was one of them.  He is excited to move on to Peru, but he was a little sad to leave Alabama.  He was teaching a family and wanted to keep teaching them.  He sounds happy and enthusiastic about missionary service.  I will post his next letter as soon as it comes.

Birmingham, Alabama

11 October 2011
Dear Mom, Dad and Family,

     Hey! I'm finally here and writing! We got to write Tuesday because of the holiday (Columbus Day) yesterday. It was great to see all your messages! Oh,and tell Sawyer "sorry" for the misspelling!   It's crazy here! People are awesome though! We already are teaching two new families! It's great!  There is a lot of Anti-Mormon literature here!  Just about every white person we talk to tells us that they worship the real Jesus.  It is kinda of funny sometimes. Sometimes not so much because we have to go up this big hill to be told no and then, we go back down it.  We live right on the side of a pretty good sized hill...maybe twice the size of Mary Pulley hill.  Just about everyone we are talking to is on the other side of it.  Haha!!   At least I'll be in good shape when I get back.  It's a lots of fun here.  We are also finding a ton of Hispanic people here! But, it's just bad timing. A new law was just passed in Alabama for Hispanics and its a rough one. Thousands of people are either leaving out of fear or being forcefully deported.  Its really rough for them right now.  We get a lot of grief, too, because we are walking around in white shirts and ties with a name badge on.   People think we are the government coming for them, but we keep trying.  The Spanish ward here is super cool! It's a little small, but the people are all so nice to everyone!   We met a member who owns a bakery just outside of town.  We did service for her today and she gave us some really incredible food! A sandwich and a cinnamon roll that were Super Good.  I have no idea how they make it but it is good! 

     In my apartment, we are staying with a couple of English elders, Elder Losi and Elder York. Losi reminds me of Steve Giffen and Elder York of Braden Peruca. It is just like being at home.   Elder Andersen is my new companion. He and I are both green.  We came out together from the MTC and so we are really struggling to figure everything out.  He and I are both stubborn and thick headed so sometimes we butt heads on occasion, but I guess Grandma's stubbornness runs in the family because I win a lot of the arguments.  Its a lot of fun being out here, but its hard, really hard.  I wish I had prepared a bit more before I came out here.  It sounds like every missionary says that.  Even so, I can't help but feel ill prepared to be here.  

     Well,  Mom and Dad, I love you and I miss you.  Sometimes I wishIi could just be out in the garage working on cars with D ad. They don't like us tinkering with theirs here.  It was sure felt a lot more productive than working 8 hours a day out here and getting nothing done. We go door to door and get rebuked or they don't want anything to do with us.   It is hard not to think of home out here.  The entire state is green and there are countless trees.  Every so often I'll see a grove of trees that looks like home except it is missing a few mountains.   I'm still working hard and  I go on splits tonight with the AP's and so I've got to go.  I love you all.  My address here is:

 1809 F Woodbrook Circle

 Alabaster, Alabama.  35007.  



Preparing the Lorna Building in Alabama



For now, that's what I'm giving people. That is my apartment.  The other missionaries say that is the best way to get mail.  I love you all!  Take care and have a good week.  I'll write again next Monday!

The Oak Mountain Boys

5 October 2011

Nate arrived in Alabama without incident.  He met with  President and Sister Holzapfel for a short meeting and some food.  He and Elder Andersen have been assigned to the Lorna Branch in Alabaster, Alabama.  They will serve with the Oak Mountain Elders.  We are waiting to hear more about it from him on his next P-day.  Sister Holzapfel keeps a wonderful mission blog.  I have added some of her pictures to this post.



Flying South for the Winter...to Alabama!



<>        Nate - Ready to Go

The group heading for Alabama

 4 October 2011 Terry and I (Debbie - the keeper of this blog) went to the airport to see Nate off.  We only spent 5 minutes with him, but he looked wonderful.  If there were two adjectives to describe him, they would be handsome and happy.  He was ready to start on this adventure as a missionary.  He left with 5 other missionaries, all waiting for visas to Peru.  They were all going to help in the Birmingham mission until their visas arrive.  What a wonderful looking group they were.  They certainly brightened the airport at 5:30 AM!

Finally...

1 October 2011

I actually found out I leave at 4:30 AM on Tuesday. So, I would say, don't worry about seeing me off. I will get a chance to call on Monday and talk to you. I actually haven't got my travel plans yet, but I talked to someone in my travel group who did and we skidaddle pretty early in the morning.  I can't wait to get out there though! I have got a package on its way home with a bunch of stuff I'm not going to take.  If possible, could you same day send me a package on Monday?  The only thing I really need is my Black CTR ring.  I got a Spanish ring here, but I think, since I'm going to Alabama, I ought to have my English one too.  Then I have a bunch of ties I'm sending home because I have heard that silk will not hold up well in humitity all that well. I'm keeping a couple, but I have a couple nice ties that I probably won't ever wear. 

Its so weird to think that I'm really on my way out of here.  I can't believe it's already been nine weeks! 

Thanks, Dad, for the meds! I got them!  Of course, I'll always check with you before I use any of them. And Dad,  I wish you the best of luck with your plumbing and computer jobs. I could tell in your letter you are just bursting with excitment to get started on it!  I wish I was able to help! But, you can always make Matt do it. So any idea what is wrong with the white car? Is it just a bad valve or something making the mixture to rich?

Well, I hope everything works out around the house! I love you all and I wish you luck.  Take care!

Llama a Servir

29 September 2011

Dear Mom, Dad, And Family,

I just found out, I have been recalled to serve in Birmingham Alabama! I leave on Monday sometime, but I don't know when yet! I'm super excited! I guess I won't have to eat hamster for at least a little while longer! Haha!  I also just checked and there is Spanish ward there.  It has a church of another demonination right across the street. and it's about 5 times the size more or less than our church. Bring it on! I'm just excited I get to finally leave! They may not let me call home. I'm not sure.

 

Thanks for the package this week too! I've already broken into the food and you were right, I ignored the labels and rearranged them. (Haha, but thanks!)  I was afraid the bread would be about stale by Monday so that was one of the first things to go. I really appreciate it!  Also, I sent home the SD card and the CD is comming in a package in a couple days.  Thanks for Everything and the support.  This is just an FYI message, I will write again tomorrow.  \

 

I love you! and Take care!

It's A Party

A Fun Note:  Nate's district was assigned host district for the week Aaron entered the MTC.  The Tholls saw him as they entered the MTC driveway where they had to let Aaron out.  When Nate saw them, he raced down the sidewalk so that he could be the greeting missionary for Aaron.  He was Aaron' s guide through the MTC.  It seems only fitting that the two of them should be together in the MTC since they have been best friends since birth.

23 September 2011

Everything is good here, and it was great to see Aaron! I see him a good deal.  He doesn't live in my building though, he lives two buildings down. I've been checking up on him periodically.  I gave him the food you asked me to.  He enjoyed it.  As for the Spanish..., yes, I can pronunciate things with no problem. I actually think that's the easiest part.  What I can't do is congugate my verbs fast enough.  A lot of the time I just use the infinitive form of it and speak fast enough that I hope no one can tell the difference.   I can now teach all of the Preach my Gospel lessons completely in Spanish and I can understand the responses for the most part.  Not bad. :-)

I am loving it here at the MTC.  There are about 20 people from AF in here right now.  I wasn't friends with most of them but I'm seeing lots of familiar faces.  Also, I'm seeing a bunch of people from Logan here too! Its a party.  The cool thing here is that in the last 4 weeks we have had 3 apostles come speak to us in devotionals. First, we had Elder Holland.  A couple weeks later, Elder Ballard, then this last Tuesday, we got Elder Nelson.  Its way cool!  Tuesdays have become my favorite day.  That is our devotional night.  Jake Pentleton and I figured out how to tell when we get an apostle coming so we can go early for good seats too! They change up a few things here when a apostle is coming and we figured out what they are.  Jake and I were talking and we are going to get a specific spot picked out in the gym where He, Devin, Aaron and I are going to start meeting up.  Finally, we've basically got the system down here.

Thats about it for this week.  Thanks for all the boxes, I've gotten all of them.    That's about it.   I love you and wish you the best.  Could you maybe try and get Kelsy Stilson's contact info for me? She uses facebook a lot, I think.  Could you send her a message?  Braden hasn't written back with that info for me.  Thanks! I love you!  Have a good week.  I'll try and write again on Friday.  I leave the week of the 5 of October. It will probably be Monday or Tuesday of that week.   

Where are the Visas?

16 September 2011

     Hey! I'm still here! They still haven't told me anything on my visa. But I will for sure be able to call when I get it.  Not sure why, but I will.  They say don't tell your parrents when your leaving and then they say call them to let them know when you are leaving... oh well,  I'm not complaining.  All is well here and actually it's very possible that I will give Aaron the grand tour on the 21st.  My district just got the assignment for host that week.  Tell Aaron I'll be looking for him! If you can get a package or letter off before then (21st) would you let me know when he is supposed to arrive?? And if the ugly ties don't get here, it won't be the end of the world.  I'm only here for a couple more weeks.  Do you remember when I said that I was positive I was going to Texas?? Well, it is distinctly possible that I will if my Visa doesn't come!

     The post office here is back up and running again.  Yesterday was officially labeled "la dia de cartas!" (day of mail.)  Everyone got at least one piece of mail; some people got 5 or 6.  It was impressive! 

     The MTC does have a sense of humor I discovered.  They sent me a letter for a room checkout sheet, obviously implying that I would be checking out of my room.  So, I ran to the travel office here and check to see what day I was leaving... But... Nope, just kidding. They told me they hadn't recieved any visas for Peru.   Other news, or prank I guess is more like it.  The other day I was talking to someone in my district, and while we were talking I managed to take his suitcase and walk out of the room with it without him noticing.  I was very impressed with myself.  This suitcase was a big one too! Thats about it for humor.  We, in the district, have begun developing our Spanish sense of humor too! It's kinda weird.  I learned from one of our teachers that Spanish has no sarcasm and anything you say will be taken literally.  Makes cracking a joke a whole lot harder, but I is coming.

     That's about all that's new here.  I hope everything is good in Colorado.  Tell Aunt Dorothy "hi!" for me. For treats, I'll take just about anything, BUT NOT COOKIES.  We have been overloaded with those.  I always love lemon bars or bread.  (Rice krispies are good... I don't know.)  Just whatever!  I still have your staygood for a while salsa so... pretty much anything would be appreciated.  I might be bad and sneak on here again if I think of anything specifically.

      Tell everyone I love them.  And I miss them! Take care and have fun in Colorado!

 

Chips and Salsa are always accepted

     Hey Thanks for the packages! The bread was a big hit in my district! ..With that jam, it lasted about five minutes when I offered it to the District! Everyone said thanks! (But I never got one from Jeannie.  Hopefully it gets here eventually.)   I did get the Sparkling cider.  We had a fun chips and salsa night with the contents of that package as well as some stuff that everyone else had.  It was really more of a cookies and sweets night than a chips and salsa night, but that's okay.  Chips and salsa sounds slightly more healthy so we go with that. 

     Those pictures I sent are of other people in my district. I can try and tell you what each one is if you like

 

       First, the picture of the shorter kid with black hair in front of a whiteboard is E. Jones teaching E. Swensen how to say "individual" in Spanish.  He couldn't for the life of him say it. we've been making fun of him for a couple of weeks about it.

 

     The picture of the redhead with a package is E Wheeler.  He was getting mad the first week because everyone but him got a package... then, the second week too. Finally,  the third week he finally got one.  It was quite the occasion.

 

     Any random pictures of me with other people was me finding old friends here.

 

     The picture of me with my feet up on a desk with a few people in it was the view from my desk...

 

     The picture of the two desks was A) my group's table (suprisingly the organized one) and B) the other half of my districts table, the unorganized one.

 

     I don't remember what else I took pictures of but the MTC isn't that exciting. I think I was just playing with the camera and the view from here looks supprisingly like the view from home. Go figure right?  I really appreciate all the stuff! Could you send an ugly tie? Also more food?  Bread is always most appreciated, but I know that's harder to make.  Home made salsa would be good! How long will it stay fresh without refrigeration?  If possible, that with some dipping chips would be great! Or just whatever. You know I'm not too picky about such things :)  

     If you would, wish Aaron the Best of Luck for me.  I don't get much time in the day to write letters so let him know the MTC is fun! However, if he ever uses the Vosotros or Tu form of a word, people will pop out of the woodworks and rebuke him.  Also, that greenies are the funniest people to mess with.  Wednesday provides me with more entertainment than I can even put into words.  By the way, could you look up a quote (or phrase?) It's called the Fellowship of the Unashamed by Henry B Eyring.  I've got one here but its a rough copy I made in my journal.  Could you see if you could find a hard copy and send it to me? I would appreciate it.  I'll send home my camera card someday with all my pictures.  They want an arm and a leg to print pictures here and the machine is pretty bad.  I only wanted 1 copy of most of those photos I sent home, but it gave me 2-4 of each.  A little annoying but... whatever.  I'm not going to use it again.  Well, I love you all.  Tell the family I love them.  Wish Aaron my best and let him know that the way things are going I'll see him in a couple weeks.  No word on my visa yet, but the MTC likes to get my hopes up.  I got a room checkout list the other day.  I would think that would imply that they had my visa but... I went and asked them and they still haven't received any word yet.

 

Well I Love you all.  I miss you.  I'll write again next week sometime. 

What Happened?? No Visa

Things are going better.  Tuesday was a rough day for me, but all is more or less well now.  I had never even considered the thought that I might have visa problems.  As far a goodies go, this is a different request, but could you send some home made bread and some of your good honey butter in a squeeze bottle?  Thanks for all the stuff you have sent me so far.  And thanks for the lemon bars! They certainly cheered me up!

All is well.  I see Devin almost everyday, but usually only in passing or at lunch.  He lives one floor above me so its easy to find him.  I'm finding all sorts of people I knew from USU up here as well as several people from high school.  We don't do too many pranks.  We saw our teacher coming into the building one day so we turned off all the lights and put our heads in our scriptures for when he came in, but that's about it.  Nothing too entertaining.  We are getting a new teacher tonight for our night classes and we plan to do all sorts of things to mess with him.  We are only his second class that he has ever taught.   We plan to see what  fun we can have with that.  We also mess with the greenies every Monday.  Give them titles like "carne fresca!" and turn around our nametags and put on our dork dots and ask the poor kids where we go to get them engraved.  They never seem to know how to answer.  The only other thing we have done is to get a cup, one hard to grip with your mouth, then we fill it up with cranberry juice or something and we get the greenies to put their hands into fists and put their pointer fingers on the edge of the table. We then stick the cup on top of the fingers.  Now they are trapped and we are free to walk away.

Elder Blair is my comp now.  He actually is a lot like Joseph Mellville and its kinda trippy sometimes.  Then Elder Herpel in my district is like Aaron sometimes.  Thats really trippy, but Herpel is a lot quieter than Aaron is.  

Everything else is good.  I am still stuck here, but I'm sure it's for a reason.  I was told in IDENTICAL words from a great many people that the Lord has a plan and I stayed for a reason.  It could be coincidence, but for that many people to tell me the same thing word for word makes me suspicious that maybe the Lord is trying to tell me something.  SO I'm here.  I'll try my best to let you know before I ship out.  I'm sending home my suitcase with a bunch of random stuff in it.  The random papers you can throw away.  There will be a little notebook in it, some pictures, and all the mail I've received to date.  Could you store it in the green box in the storage room behind the door? It's all stuff I think I would like to have after my mission.  Thanks!

I love you all and I miss you.  Don't forget to send pictures of the car!!!!  Tell all the family thanks for their support and tell them I miss them.  I'll write home next week or earlier if I get my visa.  Love to everyone.

Still at the MTC

Thanks for all the packages! I have received them all! But... uh... my MTC address is 233 not 322,  so it took an extra day to get that last package.  I really appreciate everything! I have not yet sent off the suitcase, I keep adding stuff into it.  I figured its easier to stash stuff inside than to send a package.  And I'm sending back a gift for Mom and Dad.  I think you'll like it.  It will help with scripture study.  I love hearing from the family! It's always the highlight of my day to hear how things are going back home.  Oh and did you say you had all those addressesIi requested? Is there any chance I could get you to send those down to me?   In the suitcase there should be a box full of stuff that I would like you to keep for me.  I'll leave a note on it for you. 

Pictures? from a camera? Oh, is that the small electronic thing you sent me? I've been using it for a paper weight.  It works good!  No I'm just kidding.  I'm actually going to send home my 2 gig SD card for you. It has all the pictures and video I've taken here.  It will be in that suitcase and ;lease don't forget, care packages are always welcome! :)   

News! We had an apostle speak at our devotional on Tuesday. That was cool.  I've never seen anyone yell at 2800 missionaries and rebuke them and then have all of them come away feeling good about themselves.  It was kind of a cool experience.  Wel,l that's about it for this week.  We have two new teachers this week;  our last two got reassigned.  Then, we had a half dosen other teachers come and only spend about one class period with my district before we got a new ones.  I keep scaring them off, I guess.   We have been going through teacher abandonment issues.  No, not really, but that's what we tell the branch presidency.  That's about it for this week!

Tell everyone I love them!  I'm always thinking of them.  I hope you get the computer situation figured out.  Geez... I'm gone for a month and all the computers break down... well at least I know I'm missed... just playing.  (That sounded a lot funnier out loud before I put it into the letter. Oh well.)  Tell Matt to purge the router. If it got the virus (not sure how it would, but I think it's possible), no matter how many times the computers got wiped, they would just get it again when they connected.  Oh, and tell Matt the drivers for my system are in that white tote box under my desk... somewhere.  I love you. Wish everyone the best of luck with all that they do and I'm keeping you in my prayers. 

Less than a week in Provo

Thanks for everything!  I have gotten all the packages and I appreciate it.  I'll try and send pics in another email if this computer will let me.  The MTC computers are a bit strict, but I'll have a talk with it,  Yes, and please do send a picture of the car.  I want to see it.  Tell dad he can't sell it for another 1 year, 11 months and 15 days and ...12 hours.

Everything is good here.  Could you find some addresses for me.  I left without getting them.  I would appreciate it.  As far as suitcases go, I have no idea what I need.  I can actually have 50 lbs. again; it said that in my travel info.  It won't be as bad as I feared.  I should just have to even out the stuff and I should be good.  I will probably still have to send some stuff home, though.  I will be careful with that camera, mom!  Don't forget to keep sending package to Peru!?!  I also hope you can find me in the airport with all that stuff.  I might just need it.  Yes, I did get the contacts and I'm wearing them.  Thanks again.  This letter will be kind of short as I only have a few more minutes before the computer kicks me off.

Tell dad I love him and thanks for the letter.  It was great to hear from him.  Thanks for the picture book.  It's nice to have pictures of the family with me and of my friends.  Thank Camilla for the letters and the pictures from the kids.  I'm going to take those with me to Peru.  No, I don't need a coat.  It's hot enough as it is!!   Love to the fam.

Week 2

12 August 2011
     Yeah!  The MTC is great!  I did get both packages.  Thanks you so much!  I really appreciate it.  Would you have Keira update my facefook to let people know that I don't have anyone's address.  If they send it to you (mom), you can forward the addresses to me through the mail.  Thanks.  I can't believe it is Friday already.  Friday is now my P day.  I can't believe how fast the time flies in here.  Tell Devin I will see him on Wednesday.  Tell Aaron...no top ramen and definitely no steak!  Last week was gringo week, this week is now normal.  I will be able to write every Friday.  I can write during my laundry time.  They let us use the computers while we wait for loads to finish.  The food here is not the greatest except for the pineapple.  They always have the sweetest pineapple.  It confuses me. 
     The Spanish is progressing at an incredible rate.  I had a full conversation with Elder Herpel yesterday.  No English.  It was really cool to see how much Spanish I had learned in just a few days.  I also got my travel information yesterday.  I leave for Peru on 24 August at 9:51AM.  I go to Atlanta then on to Lima. 
It is tough being away from you all, but I love being here.  I have had many spiritual experiences.  I have also found an appreciation for reading the scriptures that I have never had before.  Elder Herpel actually had the comment of the week recently.  He said, "Before, I never used to read my scriptures...now I do it for fun."  I constantly want to read the scriptures and I have begun to find meaning in them far deeper that I have ever had before.
     The missionaries that were in the dorm room before us left all these clues.  We followed them and found a note about them going to battle in Russia.  It was probably one of the funniest things I've ever read!
     My companions are great.  I like them all.  Our entire district is super tight.  I haven't had a desire to murder any of them so I guess that's something, at least.  We get a new Spanish teacher tonight and I'm super excited for that .  I love it here.  I'll write again next week.

And the week goes on

5 August 2011
Hey, Fam
Mom, you definitely read my mind with those cookies!  Thanks.  I also appreciated the letter.  I read it as soon as I could.  We have another teaching assignment tomorrow and I don't have much time to write, but could I get some more cookies?  I want the super bueno oatmeal ones with cloves and ginger and other yummy things.  I already have my first story to tell.  Elder Jones in my district got a huge care package from a girl filled with all kinds of goodies.  He passed them out and so we all wrote this girl why she shouldn't write to him, but should instead write to each of us.  I even asked her to wait for me!  We had a ton of fun with that.  (Girls back home...sorry!)  I enclose part of the lesson we have been learning with this letter.  Check it out,  I am super proud of it.  My love to the fam.

First Week

4 August 2011
I just finished my first full day at the MTC.  It has been long and I'm super tired, but it hasn't been as bad as I feared.  This afternoon I actually wrote my first prayer in Spanish.  It's not too long, but it doesn't have any mistakes (unlike this letter I fear!)  It is way fun down here.  A third of my district is going to the Peru Chiclayo mission.  We are having a blast.  My current companion actually went to AF High and we knew each other.  It is a crazy small world!  His name is Elder Bradford McAllister.  (Oh, and they did give me a water purifier.) 
Now just a few housekeeping issues I forgot...first...a box of oatmeal cookies.  Muy importa!! Also, I forgot my oil, it is on the truck key chain.  Could you send it with the goldfish looking key chain, and finally, my yellow fever yellow slip.  It is on my desk by my Eagle award.  Thanks.  Also, could you give Keira my facebook info so she can link it with the blog when you get it finished.  That way, my friends can see your link and stuff.  I'll write again...sometime.

3 August 2011 - Livin', Learnin' and Lovin' the MTC



At the curb

 Dear fam and friends,
    I'm doing great.  The MTC is great!  I've learned more Spanish in the last couple of days than I can imagine!  (It's a little trippy to be honest.)  The days are starting to become normal or at least as normal as it can be in here...: )  My district is a lot of fun.  We are constantly joking around in English and we even joke around in Spanish.  The people who actually know some Spanish laugh the hardest...  I am not sure if this is good or bad...oh well.  It looks like Saturdays are going to be our P days here so maybe next Saturday I'll be able to write home again via email.  I will try to write throughout the week, but it is hard to find time to do so.  The last letters have been written in a just a minute or two as we have been getting ready for bed.  Let all family know what's going on.   Not much has happened since my letter last night so I'll let you read those plus my first prayer.  That was finished on Friday morning.  Right after, we found out we had to teach an investigator.  I was super proud of that.  I love you all.  Keep me informed on what is happening back home.  Much love.



Saying good-bye











Matt and Keira saying good-bye