email dated 12-17-07
Okay, so I'm in a different country with a different keyboard. It's hard for me to type cause it's a little different. Anyway, I will have to give up on capitalizing things because I keep messing it up and its slowing me down, as well as apostrophes. [capitalization and apostrophes corrected by family]
Montevideo was a pretty cool city. I was only there for a day before I got shipped out to Artigas, Uruguay, which is as far north as you can get before you're in Brazil. The mission map they sent us was wrong. My mission does include Montevideo, almost half of it. My companion spent more than half of his mission in the city of Montevideo.
Anyway, I'm kind of in culture shock now. First big issue, in Artigas they speak Portugnion, a mix of Portuguese and Spanish! Thanks a lot MTC! Itss alright. They understand me when I speak, I just don't understand them. Even the people that speak mostly pure Spanish, are still really hard to understand because they have a thick accent and they speak really fast. A lot of people have kind of a lisp-lithp thingy, and they also say a lot of (shhh) amidst their words. Sho me shamo, ashi, asha, etc... It's really hard to pick out words in the midst of so much shushing. I'm doing alright though. I'm starting to get it. At least I can speak. One thing I don't want to happen to me is be like these two Elders I met in the offices. They were there during transfers to get their bus. Anyway, they couldn't speak a lick of Spanish. One had been here 6 months and another 9 months. Not a lick!!! I spoke better Spanish. They sent me out the first night in Montevideo with one of the office Elders and he made me make some contacts and I taught a lesson with him too. I couldn't understand a lot, but I could speak just fine. He was amazed at my accent and how well I knew the language. He said I didn't make a single conjugation mistake the whole day that he noticed and that I sound really good, better than a lot of Elders who've been here for 6 months. That really encouraged me. I have still been frustrated because I can't understand when they speak, but I know I will get it. In a few weeks I am sure I'll feel at home and in routine, and in a few months I bet Spanish won't even be an issue. The real issue is Portuguese. The good Elders out here learn both languages, like my companion Elder Dennis, for example, can speak both. He's a really good companion and a really awesome missionary. He has helped me to feel encouraged too. He says he can't believe how clearly and correctly I speak. If only I could hear. I just can't understand the people!! But I'm encouraged to know that most missionaries, even the ones who can't speak well, learn how to listen while they're out here. I will be okay. I know it.
I had an amazing first week!!! My goal was to make 10 contacts a day, and my companion had the same goal. Together we talk to at least 20 people in the street every day, taking turns and after a few days I'm really doing my part, and we've met the goal everyday. From that goal we've found 4 really good investigators out here. 2 of them we committed yesterday to be baptized and they accepted. We find people every day. They're really nice and humble. They live in humble circumstances, as do we in our casa: families of 7 living with only 2 or 3 cement rooms, some worse. Not very cozy, kids sleep on the floor every night, but at least it's scorching hot so nobody is freezing. There are so many things I want to say!! I couldn't possibly have enough time to tell you everything I want to about Uruguay. But I will tell you a story:
My second day we went to teach the 1st lesson to one of our street contacts Wilma. We taught her about the Restoration, of course, and gave her a Book of Mormon. She started to cry and we couldn't figure out why. She eventually got out that she and her 3 kids hadn't eaten in 3 days. I looked at the 5 year old girl Laura who was so cute and funny the whole lesson and about cried myself. We promised that if they would read the Book of Mormon and pray, God would bless them. We immediately raced to a members house right after that and told them the predicament. The wonderful member family, the Diaz family, took food over a few hours later. To our wonderment, the next time we visited her she was crying again and hugged us. She said that her prayers were answered. Her husband finally got a job!! And he's been out of work for over a year. They were so happy to see us again. They're one of our progressing families. I've seen miracles out here. My favorite investigator, a woman named Anna, said that she hasn't felt so at peace and happy all her life that she can remember, since she's been talking to us this past week. She bore testimony last night that she believes the Book of Mormon is true. I think she'll get baptized.
But lastly, and all I have time for, is that I hate numbers. We got great numbers this week. Elder Dennis, who's been in the offices and an AP, said we might have some of the best numbers in the mission, but that means jack to me if our ward doesn´t get going. In our area, there are supposedly over 200 members!! Guess how many were in church¿ 25! I told him yesterday that I don't want to baptize people and have them just join a list of inactives who really don't know the gospel. I can baptize out here. Supposedly this area has been dead for a year and we've had nothing but success (in numbers only, in my opinion) since we got here. Nobody wanted to come to Artigas, but I'm certainly glad to be here. The ward members we do have that are active are really awesome, but they don't have any leaders. There are only 4 worthy priesthood holders. The bishop is unliked by most of the ward, and we're gonna see what we can do to change that, but he is indeed a difficult man. Anyway, what I've seen is that the ward doesn't get involved. We NEED their help. I could go around every day lighting gospel sparks in Artigas, but if there isn't a fire for them to join, they will die and join the list of menos activos. I can't accept that. My job as a missionary is to build up the kingdom, not to baptize. I want to do both. But before anything, I want this ward to be on fire. I want them to start reading their scriptures. So yesterday I told my comp that I really felt strongly that we won't have real success unless we get this ward going. After praying he agreed. It's a real chore, but I want to visit members every day as much as investigators. I want to get them going. If they would just read their scriptures and pray every day for themselves!! Everybody loves us. They love the missionaries. Everybody says they feel the spirit when we're with them and they're happy. But we can't be there for everyone. We need them to have their own light, their own fire. And that's why first and foremost, my calling in Artigas is to try and strengthen this ward. I have prayed and I know that is what I am called here to do. I will not light sparks around this city only to see them all flicker away because there's no fire. Our members need to learn that they have the gift of the Holy Ghost. They don't need us to feel the Spirit. They can feel it everyday for themselves. I will labor all day with all my might to teach the members they can do this and to teach the investigators that the church is true. My numbers may suffer but I could care less. We need a fire here. 20 more menos activos will not build up the kingdom of God in Artigas. I want to spend more time with the investigators than missionaries typically do. Because they're so humble and they feel that spirit and want to be baptized, I fear a lot of missionaries run them through the process and go and find more. I want to help them to hit the ground running. To be stronger members who actually know the name of the church they're joining. There is so much I want to do here and so little time to do it.
Anyway, I'm happy and healthy. My companion is absolutely amazing. His name is Elder Dennis from Taylorsville, Utah and we get along great. He says I'm the best companion he has had, and wishes he could see how good I will be in a year when I am more fully fluent. He is on his last change and will be going home in 5 weeks. It truly does break my heart. He is such a good worker and has the same vision as I do for the work. We're doing really good together. And he's really good about complimenting me and keeping me from feeling homesick, because I have that a bit this week. He reminds me every time I'm frustrated that I don't understand what they're saying that his last companion had been here 9 months and couldn't speak or listen as well as I can my first week. That helps me feel good, but hopefully not too prideful. I need to stay humble for sure, and my inability to understand will hopefully keep me humble for a good while, not too long I hope. I just want to devote myself completely to what I'm doing here. I didn't come out here to screw around like some Elders I've regrettably already met. I will speak this language. I love these people. When I have more time I'll write more about the cultural things that I think are funny. I'll just say now that the driving is no different than MarioKart. Dad, you couldn't handle it out here. It's scary in the cars. Luckily I walk everywhere cause were in the beautiful green and dirt country of Uruguay.
One last thing! Thank you mom for letting me take piano lessons when I was 7. My music has been more than a blessing in my mission. My patriarchal blessing said my music would uplift and strengthen many in my life. I'm really seeing that. I played in the MTC fireside and that was just fun. But even better was playing in church yesterday, for a ward that can't sing worth beans and hasn't had a piano player years. They LOVE me. After sacrament meeting everybody came up around the piano and just kept giving me requests of hymns. Church essentially was an extra hour yesterday as we sang hymns together around the piano. Some members have guitars that they can't play but are more than happy to let me play and sing them songs. They LOVE music down here and it has made me immediately popular among the people.
I'm happy and healthy. I have seen more miracles than I have time to recount in this email. I love my opportunity to serve so much!! I love you all!!!
Andy
P.S. My P-day is Monday, except next week it's on Christmas, and I can email every week. Also, the pouch just got a new rule that pouch letters can be no more than a page written on one side and then folded with a stamp on the outside. That makes it essentially worthless if you ask me. If people want to do that they can. Will you post on my blog that the pouch is faster, but the rules stink, and that mail to the mission office will get to me almost as fast and can be real mail. I hope that I am worth the extra 50 cents to send me a real letter.
Monday, December 17, 2007
Wednesday, December 5, 2007
Email from Elder Bodily
This is an email Elder Bodily wrote(12-05-07). Enjoy!
I, Elder Fbod, having been born of non-musical lineage and having no ability to sing or hit any key have accomplished the impossible. Lo with the help of Elder Shepherd, Elder Fbod and Lohla have landed themselves a spot in front of the entire MTC at the MTC fireside on Sunday December 9 in the year 2007 of our Lord. It is a most triumphant victory. We have bested many foes and come out on top with a recorder and elder shepherd's superb musical abilities. It will be a joyouse occasion with much joy and merry making to be had throughout all the land. Lohla will go down in the history books as a mere recorder who bested many a flute, and violin, and many other so called "better" instruments. Elder Fbod has also managed to construct a lightsaber and is now having many epic battles with the other elders of his district. This is his last P-day in the MTC thus you might not hear from him next week. But fear not my children, I will always return...
I, Elder Fbod, having been born of non-musical lineage and having no ability to sing or hit any key have accomplished the impossible. Lo with the help of Elder Shepherd, Elder Fbod and Lohla have landed themselves a spot in front of the entire MTC at the MTC fireside on Sunday December 9 in the year 2007 of our Lord. It is a most triumphant victory. We have bested many foes and come out on top with a recorder and elder shepherd's superb musical abilities. It will be a joyouse occasion with much joy and merry making to be had throughout all the land. Lohla will go down in the history books as a mere recorder who bested many a flute, and violin, and many other so called "better" instruments. Elder Fbod has also managed to construct a lightsaber and is now having many epic battles with the other elders of his district. This is his last P-day in the MTC thus you might not hear from him next week. But fear not my children, I will always return...
Flying Away
Email Dated 12-05-07
It's official, I'm getting out of this place. I leave on Monday at 1:00 from the SLC Airport. I couldn't be happier about it. I wont arrive in Uruguay until noon the next day, so I'll have some good flight time to cram some more Spanish in, read scriptures, and sleep if possible. I'm not looking forward to sitting with Elders McClellan and Tyler the whole flight. They're the only other 2 going to Uruguay with me. They bicker like a near-divorce married couple I swear. They drive me crazy! And they will no doubt want me to sit in the middle. I just want to enjoy my flight peacefully. We shall see.
Good News!!! It's on like Donkey Kong. Elder Forrest Bodily and myself will be playing in the MTC Fireside this Sunday at 7:00 PM for the entire MTC. What began as a joke is now the musical feature of the evening. I taught him how to play the recorder he brought. He brought it as a joke, he's had it since the 4th grade. He's a really funny kid like that. I taught him what the notes were and during some P-Days even wrote out hymns on note paper for him so he could learn how to play more. We'll be playing "If You Could Hie To Kolob", my arrangement, and if you ask me, it sounds really good. I'm very excited for it. I hope he doesn't get nervous. The Recorder might be hard to play in front of thousands of people. Especially if they start laughing. That's my worst nightmare. If they start laughing we will too. It's hard enough for us to keep a straight face, at least it was in the beginning. I'm gonna see if I can get a tape of it sent home to y'all for Christmas. It's legit.
I'm very excited for you to receive my pictures. I have some very good ones that I know you will enjoy. I don't want to spoil it so just be patient and wait.
I'm happy to report that my Spanish is a lot better! My teacher, Hermano LeSeuer, whom I love very much, told me that my Spanish is definitely in the 90th percentile of missionaries he's seen leave. So that made me feel good. And furthermore I've been doing the Referral Center calls in Spanish. I have more referrals in Spanish than English. I've held full 20 minute conversations in Spanish. The key for me was to ignore the computer prompts and just listen to them and say what I know how to say. I really enjoy speaking Spanish. It's fun. I have a LONG way to go before I would claim to be fluent, but I'm excited to report that I'm very near being bilingual...I think.
I'm so excited to leave it's hard to know what else to say. I just want to say that I'm not as prideful as I sound in these emails. I hope you can read my sarcasm sometimes. If you really know me well enough then you will know exactly how my voice would sound saying all that I say. So let that be a test of how much you love me.
I love the gospel of Jesus Christ so very much! I'm ecstatic for the opportunity I have to share the gospel in another language and in another country. I'm so very fortunate for all I've had in my life. We're a blessed family. I know that you're being blessed this Christmas season and will be blessed by the missionary service that comes from our family. I'm so grateful for family. More than anything, I miss family, especially at this Christmas season. You'll be able to tell when You see my Charlie Brown Christmas tree I put up in my room. I love you all so much. I am out of time. Take care!
Adios!!
Andy
It's official, I'm getting out of this place. I leave on Monday at 1:00 from the SLC Airport. I couldn't be happier about it. I wont arrive in Uruguay until noon the next day, so I'll have some good flight time to cram some more Spanish in, read scriptures, and sleep if possible. I'm not looking forward to sitting with Elders McClellan and Tyler the whole flight. They're the only other 2 going to Uruguay with me. They bicker like a near-divorce married couple I swear. They drive me crazy! And they will no doubt want me to sit in the middle. I just want to enjoy my flight peacefully. We shall see.
Good News!!! It's on like Donkey Kong. Elder Forrest Bodily and myself will be playing in the MTC Fireside this Sunday at 7:00 PM for the entire MTC. What began as a joke is now the musical feature of the evening. I taught him how to play the recorder he brought. He brought it as a joke, he's had it since the 4th grade. He's a really funny kid like that. I taught him what the notes were and during some P-Days even wrote out hymns on note paper for him so he could learn how to play more. We'll be playing "If You Could Hie To Kolob", my arrangement, and if you ask me, it sounds really good. I'm very excited for it. I hope he doesn't get nervous. The Recorder might be hard to play in front of thousands of people. Especially if they start laughing. That's my worst nightmare. If they start laughing we will too. It's hard enough for us to keep a straight face, at least it was in the beginning. I'm gonna see if I can get a tape of it sent home to y'all for Christmas. It's legit.
I'm very excited for you to receive my pictures. I have some very good ones that I know you will enjoy. I don't want to spoil it so just be patient and wait.
I'm happy to report that my Spanish is a lot better! My teacher, Hermano LeSeuer, whom I love very much, told me that my Spanish is definitely in the 90th percentile of missionaries he's seen leave. So that made me feel good. And furthermore I've been doing the Referral Center calls in Spanish. I have more referrals in Spanish than English. I've held full 20 minute conversations in Spanish. The key for me was to ignore the computer prompts and just listen to them and say what I know how to say. I really enjoy speaking Spanish. It's fun. I have a LONG way to go before I would claim to be fluent, but I'm excited to report that I'm very near being bilingual...I think.
I'm so excited to leave it's hard to know what else to say. I just want to say that I'm not as prideful as I sound in these emails. I hope you can read my sarcasm sometimes. If you really know me well enough then you will know exactly how my voice would sound saying all that I say. So let that be a test of how much you love me.
I love the gospel of Jesus Christ so very much! I'm ecstatic for the opportunity I have to share the gospel in another language and in another country. I'm so very fortunate for all I've had in my life. We're a blessed family. I know that you're being blessed this Christmas season and will be blessed by the missionary service that comes from our family. I'm so grateful for family. More than anything, I miss family, especially at this Christmas season. You'll be able to tell when You see my Charlie Brown Christmas tree I put up in my room. I love you all so much. I am out of time. Take care!
Adios!!
Andy
Saturday, December 1, 2007
No Queso
Email Dated 11-28-2007
I'm still waiting, but the store manager promised me that they would restock the cheese soon. Today or tomorrow. I've suffered three long weeks, but I know it hasn't been in vain. It will just make my last can more enjoyable before I go to Uruguay.
I should get my flight plans tomorrow or Friday, and so I'll let you know about the details. I'm told I get a phone call home for some minutes at the airport, so Ill let you know when that might be. You might have to be ready to get up super early for that. I wasn't expecting that phone call. And you can count on my Christmas phone call too. So that is 2 in one month. Not every missionary gets that. You should probably prepare a calling-card or make sure our long-distance plan is good, because I've heard that international phone calls are super expensive. A missionary in my zone said that his brother was in Brazil and his family called him on Christmas for over an hour and it cost over 300 dollars. But this missionary has been known to exaggerate and tell some tall tales.
I have made an amazing discovery...that you will see in picture when I have them developed. I just took my card in to get the pics developed so I can mail them home before I leave. You will be impressed with Elder Bodily and my discovery this morning. P-Days are very special days. The picture will simply just astound you. I can't wait for you to see it. The code word/hint I'll give now is "Star Wars".
Spanish is pretty much the best language any English speaker can learn. Not only is it completely usable in the USA, but it's practically English's step-brother. So many times during the day I can make up what I think the word might be and I'm right. "Oh I want to say restoration...how about restauracion" or "president...presidente", or "patience...paciencia". I don't know how to explain it, there's a method to the madness. I've started falling in love with all English words that end in "tion" because they just end in "cion" in Spanish a lot of the time. With a decent grasp on the grammar and conjugations now I'm decently fluent, however still pretty slow. Spanish is just fun. You can guess and get it right. I do it at least 10 times a day, and then look it up and to my great joy find that I said a real word. Spanish is boss. It's the bee's-knees. I testify that that is true. Sorry to Tyce that he had to speak Portuguese...or Dad had to speak Japanese...or to MJ who had to speak German... You're all missing out. Spanish is boss.
I'm glad to hear that BYU won. I knew as soon as the game was over who won. We could hear the cheering from the MTC.
I have to go now, because I have my follow up appointment with the foot guy. I love you all. I'm getting out again for at least 20 minutes!!!! Take care and remember always to pray. God does care and will answer.
Adios!!
Andy
I'm still waiting, but the store manager promised me that they would restock the cheese soon. Today or tomorrow. I've suffered three long weeks, but I know it hasn't been in vain. It will just make my last can more enjoyable before I go to Uruguay.
I should get my flight plans tomorrow or Friday, and so I'll let you know about the details. I'm told I get a phone call home for some minutes at the airport, so Ill let you know when that might be. You might have to be ready to get up super early for that. I wasn't expecting that phone call. And you can count on my Christmas phone call too. So that is 2 in one month. Not every missionary gets that. You should probably prepare a calling-card or make sure our long-distance plan is good, because I've heard that international phone calls are super expensive. A missionary in my zone said that his brother was in Brazil and his family called him on Christmas for over an hour and it cost over 300 dollars. But this missionary has been known to exaggerate and tell some tall tales.
I have made an amazing discovery...that you will see in picture when I have them developed. I just took my card in to get the pics developed so I can mail them home before I leave. You will be impressed with Elder Bodily and my discovery this morning. P-Days are very special days. The picture will simply just astound you. I can't wait for you to see it. The code word/hint I'll give now is "Star Wars".
Spanish is pretty much the best language any English speaker can learn. Not only is it completely usable in the USA, but it's practically English's step-brother. So many times during the day I can make up what I think the word might be and I'm right. "Oh I want to say restoration...how about restauracion" or "president...presidente", or "patience...paciencia". I don't know how to explain it, there's a method to the madness. I've started falling in love with all English words that end in "tion" because they just end in "cion" in Spanish a lot of the time. With a decent grasp on the grammar and conjugations now I'm decently fluent, however still pretty slow. Spanish is just fun. You can guess and get it right. I do it at least 10 times a day, and then look it up and to my great joy find that I said a real word. Spanish is boss. It's the bee's-knees. I testify that that is true. Sorry to Tyce that he had to speak Portuguese...or Dad had to speak Japanese...or to MJ who had to speak German... You're all missing out. Spanish is boss.
I'm glad to hear that BYU won. I knew as soon as the game was over who won. We could hear the cheering from the MTC.
I have to go now, because I have my follow up appointment with the foot guy. I love you all. I'm getting out again for at least 20 minutes!!!! Take care and remember always to pray. God does care and will answer.
Adios!!
Andy
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
I want different food
Week 7-ish and I'm ready to leave for sure. The food just isn't doing the trick any more. And I'm tired of having the same smell as every other missionary. It's just not all that it's cracked up to be. The stinking English speaking missionaries: "Oh! I Love the food!! It's so good!!" Well I challenge them to eat it for 7 weeks and still say that.
Besides the food getting on my nerves, particularly the bland hamburgers every day, I'm doing good. And I'm really popular at lunch because I remember everything Jim Gaffigan has ever said and so I can quote all of his food jokes. It helps me forget about what I'm eating.
Anyway, I wont talk about the food anymore.
I taught in Spanish last week in the TRC with my companions Elder Bodily and Archibald. I felt it went really well. I found myself speaking better than I knew I could. My teacher thought that it seemed I talked the most, but he had to go between rooms with the other Elders in the district. I only taught one principle out of 8 in our lesson!! I say it's just because I actually expounded on what I said in Spanish, rather than just say "Joseph Smith was called as a prophet. He restored the church. Now we have the Book of Mormon." I can do way better than that and so I do. It is hard when teaching in a new language, and when you first start that's how it comes out. Very simple and plain. And the words of the gospel are simple and plain, but now that I'm getting better I can actually expound on it, ask questions and check for understanding, and just make sure that the investigator gets what's being taught. I'm super excited to get out of Provo and be humbled to find that I really can't speak Spanish at all. I'm praying for an awesome first companion that will show me the ropes and really knows his Spanish.
I'm really sad that at the bookstore that they are out of the canned cheese and Ritz that Elder Bodily and I have been having for our Cheese/Chess parties at night!!! They're all out!! And have been so for 7 days, and there's none in there right now and the store is going to be closed for 3 days because of Thanksgiving. I suffer for my service. In fact, they ran out of Ritz at the store first, and Elder Bodily and I made a deal with Hermano LeSeuer, our teacher, that if we spoke perfect Spanish for 24 hours he would buy us some Ritz. We did it and got a 10 bag box!!! We already ate them all. I truly am suffering here.
I am really looking forward to getting my flight plans on Monday. It has passed me by so fast!! But soon enough I will be out of Provo and finally doing what I came here to do, and what I've dreamt of doing since I was a little boy. I'm supposed to be leaving on the 10th! I hope that doesn't change. Some people get VISA problems. I sincerely hope that's not me.
I'm working as hard as I know how. I try not to waste any time. It helps to know that I'm paying for this . . . and that [mom and dad] are helping me pay for this . . . but mostly it just helps to know that this is the Lord's work for me. He wants me to be doing this and He wants me to do my best. The Savior is my motivation. He is my all. I spoke the other night with Elder Archibald about my philosophies on life. Everything I believe, all ties back to the Atonement of Jesus Christ. We spoke of political ignorance, how sad it is that if people would just care and help each other then the WHOLE world would be a better place, etc. . . We talked about everything. But the last thing I said was "I love that the Atonement is infinite. The Atonement makes up for everything in life that isn't fair. The Lord is our judge. He doesn't compare us. He judges each and every one of us individually, based on who we are and what we did with what He gave us." If you don't believe me, see one of my favorite parables in Matthew 20. It's about the Labourers in the Vineyard. No matter when you end up working for the Lord, doesn't matter if I worked all day and someone else never came around until the last second of the Spirit Prison, we BOTH will receive the same "penny" from the Lord. And that penny is Eternal Life. God is fair. He loves us. He is just. I love my Savior Jesus Christ so much. I am doing my best to devote my life to serving Him. I bear testimony that Jesus is the Christ. That we are truly children of a God who loves us. If we have faith and do our best with what we have, all will be okay.
Take care! I love you all very much!!!
Sincerely,
Andy
Besides the food getting on my nerves, particularly the bland hamburgers every day, I'm doing good. And I'm really popular at lunch because I remember everything Jim Gaffigan has ever said and so I can quote all of his food jokes. It helps me forget about what I'm eating.
Anyway, I wont talk about the food anymore.
I taught in Spanish last week in the TRC with my companions Elder Bodily and Archibald. I felt it went really well. I found myself speaking better than I knew I could. My teacher thought that it seemed I talked the most, but he had to go between rooms with the other Elders in the district. I only taught one principle out of 8 in our lesson!! I say it's just because I actually expounded on what I said in Spanish, rather than just say "Joseph Smith was called as a prophet. He restored the church. Now we have the Book of Mormon." I can do way better than that and so I do. It is hard when teaching in a new language, and when you first start that's how it comes out. Very simple and plain. And the words of the gospel are simple and plain, but now that I'm getting better I can actually expound on it, ask questions and check for understanding, and just make sure that the investigator gets what's being taught. I'm super excited to get out of Provo and be humbled to find that I really can't speak Spanish at all. I'm praying for an awesome first companion that will show me the ropes and really knows his Spanish.
I'm really sad that at the bookstore that they are out of the canned cheese and Ritz that Elder Bodily and I have been having for our Cheese/Chess parties at night!!! They're all out!! And have been so for 7 days, and there's none in there right now and the store is going to be closed for 3 days because of Thanksgiving. I suffer for my service. In fact, they ran out of Ritz at the store first, and Elder Bodily and I made a deal with Hermano LeSeuer, our teacher, that if we spoke perfect Spanish for 24 hours he would buy us some Ritz. We did it and got a 10 bag box!!! We already ate them all. I truly am suffering here.
I am really looking forward to getting my flight plans on Monday. It has passed me by so fast!! But soon enough I will be out of Provo and finally doing what I came here to do, and what I've dreamt of doing since I was a little boy. I'm supposed to be leaving on the 10th! I hope that doesn't change. Some people get VISA problems. I sincerely hope that's not me.
I'm working as hard as I know how. I try not to waste any time. It helps to know that I'm paying for this . . . and that [mom and dad] are helping me pay for this . . . but mostly it just helps to know that this is the Lord's work for me. He wants me to be doing this and He wants me to do my best. The Savior is my motivation. He is my all. I spoke the other night with Elder Archibald about my philosophies on life. Everything I believe, all ties back to the Atonement of Jesus Christ. We spoke of political ignorance, how sad it is that if people would just care and help each other then the WHOLE world would be a better place, etc. . . We talked about everything. But the last thing I said was "I love that the Atonement is infinite. The Atonement makes up for everything in life that isn't fair. The Lord is our judge. He doesn't compare us. He judges each and every one of us individually, based on who we are and what we did with what He gave us." If you don't believe me, see one of my favorite parables in Matthew 20. It's about the Labourers in the Vineyard. No matter when you end up working for the Lord, doesn't matter if I worked all day and someone else never came around until the last second of the Spirit Prison, we BOTH will receive the same "penny" from the Lord. And that penny is Eternal Life. God is fair. He loves us. He is just. I love my Savior Jesus Christ so much. I am doing my best to devote my life to serving Him. I bear testimony that Jesus is the Christ. That we are truly children of a God who loves us. If we have faith and do our best with what we have, all will be okay.
Take care! I love you all very much!!!
Sincerely,
Andy
Friday, November 16, 2007
Email dated 11-14-07
I will be very happy to leave Provo next month. I’m glad today is the 14th because that means Jeffrey Goodrich is coming in today. Perhaps he’ll be in my zone, cause he’s speaking Spanish too. The odds are slim, but I can still hope.
This last week has been much better. I’m working well in the trio. We get along just great and we work hard together. Surprisingly we teach with unity better than when we were in 2’s. We’ve practiced a lot. The best part is that they are both willing to speak Spanish all day. It is our goal. We try “Speak Your Language” all day. We practice it as a religion. It has improved our language skills ten fold.
Oh yeah, I’m the district leader now. So this last week I’ve challenged my whole district to “Speak Your Language” with perfection. If you want to speak english you HAVE to ask permission and then look it up in Spanish right after so you learn how to say it. And I don’t have to be a Nazi about it because we all agreed to the challenge because we all want to get better. It amazes me how much Spanish we can speak. I love my district so much!!! They are so hard working. I’m glad we have the goal to “Speak Your Language” all the time. There are districts that have been here for 8 and 9 weeks that don’t speak as well as our district. And I’m not trying to minimize them, but I want to lift ourselves up because we really worked hard. We speak Spanish all day and it pays off. It is the gift of tongues. It is thanks to the Lord. I do not boast of myself, but I will boast of my God. See Alma something or other, Ammon says it. We really can go all day without English. Nowhere else in the world do people learn languages this fast.
And... There isn’t much more great to tell. Oh yeah, we did have Russell M. Nelson and his new wife speak last night. That was pretty amazing. It’s always nice to hear from the Brethren. I was again on the 3rd row. This time I didn’t have to look down because his eyes were much older and you couldn’t tell if he was looking at you or not.
Elder Bodily and I are going to try out with our “If You Could Hie To Kolob” that I arranged for us. He brought his recorder from 4th grade with him. He didn’t even remember how to play. He asked to learn and I taught him that song. What started as a joke is a serious song now. We really are going to try out and we want to play it in the MTC fireside in front of the whole MTC. It’s a really good arrangement and it sounds good. The recorder really can be beautiful like a flute with enough practice. I’m excited.
We just got 700 new missionaries in here today. The place is packed. It’s the biggest load ever to come in at once I think they said.
I suppose I have a minute to tell my story: So we had branch council on Sunday morning and talked about “residence hall behavior”. They talked about how when we’re home at night for that hour between 9:30-10:30 we should use that time wisely, to reflect on the day in companionships(which we already did in planning from 9-9:30 by the way) and to review notes and prepare spiritually for the next day. So that kind of went in one ear and out the other for me. Which is bad because I’m a district leader and I SHOULD be better. But I thought that last hour is for getting ready for bed. Read your scriptures before bed and whatever else. So ANYWAY, last night one of the branch presidency was in the residence halls saying goodbye to a departing district and he came by my room, where I had some chairs set up in the middle of the room for Elder Bodily and I to have our chess/cheese party. We spoke in Spanish for 24 straight hours with no English for any reason. The decided reward was a chess/cheese party with ritz crackers. He asked what the chairs were for and my immediate and enthusiastic response was “QUESO FIESTA!”. I don’t think he thought it was as great as I did. He gave me a stern look and left. He just didn’t understand. It was part of the deal for “Speak Your Language”. Furthermore, the cheese chess party was educational. I learned how to say “who will draw first blood” and all sorts of bloody and killing phrases that we looked up in Spanish while we played chess. Sometimes they just don’t understand. I’m glad it happened that way because maybe this will ensure that I’ll never have to be zone leader. I’m trying to dodge that at all costs. I don’t want to be a ZL. Especialmente in the MTC.
Anyway, that’s my story. I have to go now. No tengo much tiempo. Man, the Spanish is messing up my English. I can’t think straight these days. It’s an awkward phase. Anyway...I love you all and I hope you are well. I’m doing just peachy and I am having a good time.
I’d like to bear my testimony of this work. I do know that it is true. The gospel of Jesus Christ is the truth. I don’t need to say any more than that. Adios!!
Sincerely,
Andy
This last week has been much better. I’m working well in the trio. We get along just great and we work hard together. Surprisingly we teach with unity better than when we were in 2’s. We’ve practiced a lot. The best part is that they are both willing to speak Spanish all day. It is our goal. We try “Speak Your Language” all day. We practice it as a religion. It has improved our language skills ten fold.
Oh yeah, I’m the district leader now. So this last week I’ve challenged my whole district to “Speak Your Language” with perfection. If you want to speak english you HAVE to ask permission and then look it up in Spanish right after so you learn how to say it. And I don’t have to be a Nazi about it because we all agreed to the challenge because we all want to get better. It amazes me how much Spanish we can speak. I love my district so much!!! They are so hard working. I’m glad we have the goal to “Speak Your Language” all the time. There are districts that have been here for 8 and 9 weeks that don’t speak as well as our district. And I’m not trying to minimize them, but I want to lift ourselves up because we really worked hard. We speak Spanish all day and it pays off. It is the gift of tongues. It is thanks to the Lord. I do not boast of myself, but I will boast of my God. See Alma something or other, Ammon says it. We really can go all day without English. Nowhere else in the world do people learn languages this fast.
And... There isn’t much more great to tell. Oh yeah, we did have Russell M. Nelson and his new wife speak last night. That was pretty amazing. It’s always nice to hear from the Brethren. I was again on the 3rd row. This time I didn’t have to look down because his eyes were much older and you couldn’t tell if he was looking at you or not.
Elder Bodily and I are going to try out with our “If You Could Hie To Kolob” that I arranged for us. He brought his recorder from 4th grade with him. He didn’t even remember how to play. He asked to learn and I taught him that song. What started as a joke is a serious song now. We really are going to try out and we want to play it in the MTC fireside in front of the whole MTC. It’s a really good arrangement and it sounds good. The recorder really can be beautiful like a flute with enough practice. I’m excited.
We just got 700 new missionaries in here today. The place is packed. It’s the biggest load ever to come in at once I think they said.
I suppose I have a minute to tell my story: So we had branch council on Sunday morning and talked about “residence hall behavior”. They talked about how when we’re home at night for that hour between 9:30-10:30 we should use that time wisely, to reflect on the day in companionships(which we already did in planning from 9-9:30 by the way) and to review notes and prepare spiritually for the next day. So that kind of went in one ear and out the other for me. Which is bad because I’m a district leader and I SHOULD be better. But I thought that last hour is for getting ready for bed. Read your scriptures before bed and whatever else. So ANYWAY, last night one of the branch presidency was in the residence halls saying goodbye to a departing district and he came by my room, where I had some chairs set up in the middle of the room for Elder Bodily and I to have our chess/cheese party. We spoke in Spanish for 24 straight hours with no English for any reason. The decided reward was a chess/cheese party with ritz crackers. He asked what the chairs were for and my immediate and enthusiastic response was “QUESO FIESTA!”. I don’t think he thought it was as great as I did. He gave me a stern look and left. He just didn’t understand. It was part of the deal for “Speak Your Language”. Furthermore, the cheese chess party was educational. I learned how to say “who will draw first blood” and all sorts of bloody and killing phrases that we looked up in Spanish while we played chess. Sometimes they just don’t understand. I’m glad it happened that way because maybe this will ensure that I’ll never have to be zone leader. I’m trying to dodge that at all costs. I don’t want to be a ZL. Especialmente in the MTC.
Anyway, that’s my story. I have to go now. No tengo much tiempo. Man, the Spanish is messing up my English. I can’t think straight these days. It’s an awkward phase. Anyway...I love you all and I hope you are well. I’m doing just peachy and I am having a good time.
I’d like to bear my testimony of this work. I do know that it is true. The gospel of Jesus Christ is the truth. I don’t need to say any more than that. Adios!!
Sincerely,
Andy
Wednesday, November 7, 2007
Email Dated 11-7-2007
Week 4 again, going on 5-ish
This has been my worst week at the MTC. I saw this coming, and I did my best, but I couldn't stop it. My companion Elder Braithwaite went home on Monday. He's been really homesick most of the time here, but for the most part he was able to shrug it off and keep busy. His girlfriend sending him a letter a day didn't really help. She actually sent him a total of 4 packages while we were here, and some days he'd get 3 letters from her. But she can't be blamed, I just wish she didn't make it harder for him. On Friday night we went to the TRC, practice teaching, and had to teach in Spanish. My companion got really scared and stopped talking. I led us through the lesson and kept giving him the chance to testify at least in Spanish, because that's really it. He did it fine. All in all, our lesson actually went fine. But I could tell he was disappointed in himself because he forgot a few words, and got discouraged. He combined his feelings of being overwhelmed with homesickness and he had a severe stomach ache that he couldn't/wouldn't shake. I could see something was wrong. I tried to be sensitive, encouraging, helpful, etc... I eventually asked if he wanted to talk about it, because I knew his "feeling sick", which is all he said it was, was really a lot more. I saw in his eyes defeat. He had truly given up. It came out of nowhere because he was actually one of the best at Spanish in our district. He had no need to be discouraged. I'd ask how he felt and he'd say "fine" or "just a little sick", but he insisted that he needed to speak with President Eddy, our Branch President. I accompanied him to a number of interviews over a few days this last weekend, and President Eddy had me in another room telling me that none of it was my fault. That he was going to be okay, that he would see some counselors here and etc... I prayed, and I prayed, and I prayed. I offered him a blessing, but he said he didn't want one. That was a bad sign to me because I knew he didn't want to feel better. He needed his sick feeling in order to go home, which he had resolved to do. I could see that clearly in his countenance. He wouldn't talk about it, and he'd lie and say he was fine. I saw right through him, but I didn't know how to handle that. Well, randomly on Monday morning, before he ever made it to a counselor, he said he had an interview with one of the Mission Presidency. He didn't, but we went anyway. He demanded to be let in, to be able to call home, and he did just that. 10 minutes later, President Garrett came out and said "go help him pack his things."
I was crushed. I didn't know what to do. But it was over. He said he was done. Knowing I couldn't talk him out of it, I did the next best thing.
Now I'm companioned with Elders Bodily and Archibald. They have been my roommates anyway, and so I'm close to them. It's harder in a trio to study. I've only been doing it for 2 days, but it is harder. Even so, we have a good time. I love them both. Elder Bodily is hilarious and Elder Archibald is really hard working. They're both going to Argentina when I go to Uruguay.
There isn't really much more to tell about this week, because for the past week my focus has been on Ryan Braithwaite and less on the rest of the work. I feel kind of like I failed. But I've been reassured that it wasn't my fault over and over. I really wish I had seen it coming sooner and done something. But I know I can't blame myself. We all have our own agency. I'm just sad for him. He really was capable of this work. My least favorite thing is everyone else who talks like they know him and want to know why he didn't stay.
I'm still trying to be the best missionary I can be. I want to be as fluent in Spanish as I can before I get out there. I really really really do.
I have been having fun, as well, just so you all know. My companion Elder Bodily and I have both bought canned cheese and Ritz and we have cheese/chess parties before bed sometimes. He has won 5/6, but I won the most recent one so that means I'm technically the best at it currently. Oh and how could i forget!!? Elder Bodily and I are going to try out for a musical number...we'll see. He has a recorder. He didn't even know how to play it. I taught him "If You Could Hie To Kolob" and he's been practicing. I'm gonna play some accompaniment and we're gonna try out. If we make it, I don't know if we'll be able to keep a straight face. But it really does sound pretty good. I arranged it this week and I kinda like it. If we make it, I'll have to find some way of getting a video of it. I'll let you know. It could be something pretty special. It's so funny that he's playing on that 4th grade recorder. It's fun. I play it sometimes and do Lord of the Rings music for everyone on the district. They enjoy that.
Well anyway, I have to go before my time expires. Adios!!! I love you all!!!
Sincerely,
Elder Andy Shepherd
This has been my worst week at the MTC. I saw this coming, and I did my best, but I couldn't stop it. My companion Elder Braithwaite went home on Monday. He's been really homesick most of the time here, but for the most part he was able to shrug it off and keep busy. His girlfriend sending him a letter a day didn't really help. She actually sent him a total of 4 packages while we were here, and some days he'd get 3 letters from her. But she can't be blamed, I just wish she didn't make it harder for him. On Friday night we went to the TRC, practice teaching, and had to teach in Spanish. My companion got really scared and stopped talking. I led us through the lesson and kept giving him the chance to testify at least in Spanish, because that's really it. He did it fine. All in all, our lesson actually went fine. But I could tell he was disappointed in himself because he forgot a few words, and got discouraged. He combined his feelings of being overwhelmed with homesickness and he had a severe stomach ache that he couldn't/wouldn't shake. I could see something was wrong. I tried to be sensitive, encouraging, helpful, etc... I eventually asked if he wanted to talk about it, because I knew his "feeling sick", which is all he said it was, was really a lot more. I saw in his eyes defeat. He had truly given up. It came out of nowhere because he was actually one of the best at Spanish in our district. He had no need to be discouraged. I'd ask how he felt and he'd say "fine" or "just a little sick", but he insisted that he needed to speak with President Eddy, our Branch President. I accompanied him to a number of interviews over a few days this last weekend, and President Eddy had me in another room telling me that none of it was my fault. That he was going to be okay, that he would see some counselors here and etc... I prayed, and I prayed, and I prayed. I offered him a blessing, but he said he didn't want one. That was a bad sign to me because I knew he didn't want to feel better. He needed his sick feeling in order to go home, which he had resolved to do. I could see that clearly in his countenance. He wouldn't talk about it, and he'd lie and say he was fine. I saw right through him, but I didn't know how to handle that. Well, randomly on Monday morning, before he ever made it to a counselor, he said he had an interview with one of the Mission Presidency. He didn't, but we went anyway. He demanded to be let in, to be able to call home, and he did just that. 10 minutes later, President Garrett came out and said "go help him pack his things."
I was crushed. I didn't know what to do. But it was over. He said he was done. Knowing I couldn't talk him out of it, I did the next best thing.
Now I'm companioned with Elders Bodily and Archibald. They have been my roommates anyway, and so I'm close to them. It's harder in a trio to study. I've only been doing it for 2 days, but it is harder. Even so, we have a good time. I love them both. Elder Bodily is hilarious and Elder Archibald is really hard working. They're both going to Argentina when I go to Uruguay.
There isn't really much more to tell about this week, because for the past week my focus has been on Ryan Braithwaite and less on the rest of the work. I feel kind of like I failed. But I've been reassured that it wasn't my fault over and over. I really wish I had seen it coming sooner and done something. But I know I can't blame myself. We all have our own agency. I'm just sad for him. He really was capable of this work. My least favorite thing is everyone else who talks like they know him and want to know why he didn't stay.
I'm still trying to be the best missionary I can be. I want to be as fluent in Spanish as I can before I get out there. I really really really do.
I have been having fun, as well, just so you all know. My companion Elder Bodily and I have both bought canned cheese and Ritz and we have cheese/chess parties before bed sometimes. He has won 5/6, but I won the most recent one so that means I'm technically the best at it currently. Oh and how could i forget!!? Elder Bodily and I are going to try out for a musical number...we'll see. He has a recorder. He didn't even know how to play it. I taught him "If You Could Hie To Kolob" and he's been practicing. I'm gonna play some accompaniment and we're gonna try out. If we make it, I don't know if we'll be able to keep a straight face. But it really does sound pretty good. I arranged it this week and I kinda like it. If we make it, I'll have to find some way of getting a video of it. I'll let you know. It could be something pretty special. It's so funny that he's playing on that 4th grade recorder. It's fun. I play it sometimes and do Lord of the Rings music for everyone on the district. They enjoy that.
Well anyway, I have to go before my time expires. Adios!!! I love you all!!!
Sincerely,
Elder Andy Shepherd
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