What are the Hermana's names in your area?
Hermana Cannon and Mikinin dont know how to spell them
Where are they from?
Not sure
What is the best thing you've eaten since you've been there, besides dillas?
Not sure a lot of it is great
How much money do you get to live on?
Not sure ha ha sorry
Do all of the elders share all of the food or do you have it separate?
Both we have different tastes so we get stuff we like then things to share
What has the weather been like this week?
Warm and getting warmer. Today is going to be hot I'm pretty sure of it.
Is there anyone special that you are teaching right now that has a cool story?
Nope not really
How was your first zone conference?
It was really good! we got to eat and chat and things like that I liked it a lot and the president is amazing ha ha
What did you think of the Houston Temple?(That's where Adam & Lisa got married)
I really liked it. Not what I expected at the end but it was still a temple so you can't complain cause they are all awesome
Did you go back to the bible study group? If so what was that like?
No we didn't
Do you have a ward or a branch?
Branch
Do you get to do anything at church, teach, talk, etc??
Not me ha ha ha I guess I have said prayers in Sunday school
How are the beds, better than the MTC? Did the new ones come yet?
We get new ones? They are good I sleep so good. I can't even imagine how good mine is after these ones. Speaking of that can you send that to me? ha ha ha
How's the Spanish coming?
Good I understand a lot more
Have you gotten ANY of my letters? The first one I sent came back, hoping the rest don't.
yeah I have gotten all of the stuff I think.
Have you gotten any letters from anyone else?
Brook
Have you sent your SD card yet? I'm assuming you got your camera back. :)
Im going to send it once we are by the post office
I love you BUBBA!!!!!
Love you more
MOM
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
March 31, 2010
Hey
How is it going? It's going good here in Texas. I dont know how updated everyone is cause I think that people might be getting mail from the president? Not sure. But this week is our week of sacrifices, where we are giving up a lot of stuff and spending more time finding people. We are giving up a few days of language study and a lot of hours each day then we are also studying a few more specific things in the scriptures about the last week of Christs life. It has been good. Oh and today in the Spanish North Area we are giving up food too. Ha ha I dont know how good it is to shop hungry but I am about to do it. We tract for at least 4 hours everyday it's fun there are a lot of interesting people that we meet. We got to go to the temple this last week with this part of the mission and that was really fun. All but one of my MTC district elders were there it was good to talk to them again.
But about the people ha ha Houston is very interesting.. there is for sure a difference in how people act and what race they are. Not to be racist but the white people are kind of mean ha ha. It's mostly all of the white people that say IM BAPTIST and shut the door. ha ha but some have been very nice. Then the hispanic people will listen to what you have to say then they say o I'm catholic or baptist and then we keep telling them about our message and they take like a pamphlet with our number and set a return appointment then never answer their door ha ha ha but that is all of the negative we get some people that really want to change and are receptive and what we commit them to doing is hard so it is hard for a lot of people but they are great people here we always get waters and sometimes we are riding to our appartment for lunch and some members will say o come eat here and we get some spanish food ha ha it's good. I eat so much our here. I have a trick ha ha while my companions are speaking spanish to them I get more food and just keep eating ha ha ha just kidding but I do eat a lot. And bike a lot. So I haven't gained any weight at all. But I ran out of stuff to talk about. This library like makes me sick everytime I come in it I dont know if it is the lighting or what but when I'm sick I am not super talkative but I love you all so much and hope that you have a great week.
Elder Archibald
How is it going? It's going good here in Texas. I dont know how updated everyone is cause I think that people might be getting mail from the president? Not sure. But this week is our week of sacrifices, where we are giving up a lot of stuff and spending more time finding people. We are giving up a few days of language study and a lot of hours each day then we are also studying a few more specific things in the scriptures about the last week of Christs life. It has been good. Oh and today in the Spanish North Area we are giving up food too. Ha ha I dont know how good it is to shop hungry but I am about to do it. We tract for at least 4 hours everyday it's fun there are a lot of interesting people that we meet. We got to go to the temple this last week with this part of the mission and that was really fun. All but one of my MTC district elders were there it was good to talk to them again.
But about the people ha ha Houston is very interesting.. there is for sure a difference in how people act and what race they are. Not to be racist but the white people are kind of mean ha ha. It's mostly all of the white people that say IM BAPTIST and shut the door. ha ha but some have been very nice. Then the hispanic people will listen to what you have to say then they say o I'm catholic or baptist and then we keep telling them about our message and they take like a pamphlet with our number and set a return appointment then never answer their door ha ha ha but that is all of the negative we get some people that really want to change and are receptive and what we commit them to doing is hard so it is hard for a lot of people but they are great people here we always get waters and sometimes we are riding to our appartment for lunch and some members will say o come eat here and we get some spanish food ha ha it's good. I eat so much our here. I have a trick ha ha while my companions are speaking spanish to them I get more food and just keep eating ha ha ha just kidding but I do eat a lot. And bike a lot. So I haven't gained any weight at all. But I ran out of stuff to talk about. This library like makes me sick everytime I come in it I dont know if it is the lighting or what but when I'm sick I am not super talkative but I love you all so much and hope that you have a great week.
Elder Archibald
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Answers to Questions March 24, 2010
So where are you? I'm in Galena Park
What is your new address?I dont know my address so they were saying just send stuff to the mission home and they will forward it to me that way if there is a emergency transfer they can still get it to me.
What is your companion's name? Elder Martin and Elder Messick
How long has he been out? This is elder Messicks last transfer and Elder Martin has been out of about 3 Months or so
Where is he from? Flagstaff and Twin falls
Are you driving or riding a bike? BIKING!!!
So far I have sent 3 boxes and 2 letters. Have you received any of these? I got the greeny package and the bedding
Have you been tracting yet? We tract so so much it is fun
Tell me about your first day there.... I was just in a daze but my first full day was just confused with the language and things
Tell me about the people you are teaching... They are kinda not progressing much so now we are finding a lot we are going to knock galena!
How is the Ward or Branch? Tell me about your first Sunday experience....Its is fun we have a few members that are just great and help us out a lot and we dont have a mission leader yet so that is a little bit harder.
Have you found anyone new to teach since you've been there? yeah we have we have found a lot of new people that we are going to try out you have to teach them a few times for them to make it to the investigators list we have to weed out all of the pity acceptors
Tell me about any discussions you have taught or helped with this week.. We have taught all sorts of them sorry dont have time to tell about all of them cause there are a lot
What is your apartment or house like? dad saw it on google maps you can see it too. just ask him
What are you eating for breakfast, lunch and dinner? anything we can find we ran out of food but are shopping today and im getting stuff for dillas
Do you get fed by the members there? Yes and I eat so much since I have been out here like a TON!
Have you eaten anything strange??? Not really
Have you had any opportunities for service this week? Not really but a little
Have you seen any elder's you know? Nope
What was your meeting with President Moldenhauer like? What do you think of him? What kind of things did he talk to you about? He is GREAT and an amazing man. I haven't talked with him much though.
Did Elder Stelse give you a hug for me? yes he did the first time a saw him on our first day at the resturant.
Love you so much!
What is your new address?I dont know my address so they were saying just send stuff to the mission home and they will forward it to me that way if there is a emergency transfer they can still get it to me.
What is your companion's name? Elder Martin and Elder Messick
How long has he been out? This is elder Messicks last transfer and Elder Martin has been out of about 3 Months or so
Where is he from? Flagstaff and Twin falls
Are you driving or riding a bike? BIKING!!!
So far I have sent 3 boxes and 2 letters. Have you received any of these? I got the greeny package and the bedding
Have you been tracting yet? We tract so so much it is fun
Tell me about your first day there.... I was just in a daze but my first full day was just confused with the language and things
Tell me about the people you are teaching... They are kinda not progressing much so now we are finding a lot we are going to knock galena!
How is the Ward or Branch? Tell me about your first Sunday experience....Its is fun we have a few members that are just great and help us out a lot and we dont have a mission leader yet so that is a little bit harder.
Have you found anyone new to teach since you've been there? yeah we have we have found a lot of new people that we are going to try out you have to teach them a few times for them to make it to the investigators list we have to weed out all of the pity acceptors
Tell me about any discussions you have taught or helped with this week.. We have taught all sorts of them sorry dont have time to tell about all of them cause there are a lot
What is your apartment or house like? dad saw it on google maps you can see it too. just ask him
What are you eating for breakfast, lunch and dinner? anything we can find we ran out of food but are shopping today and im getting stuff for dillas
Do you get fed by the members there? Yes and I eat so much since I have been out here like a TON!
Have you eaten anything strange??? Not really
Have you had any opportunities for service this week? Not really but a little
Have you seen any elder's you know? Nope
What was your meeting with President Moldenhauer like? What do you think of him? What kind of things did he talk to you about? He is GREAT and an amazing man. I haven't talked with him much though.
Did Elder Stelse give you a hug for me? yes he did the first time a saw him on our first day at the resturant.
Love you so much!
March 24, 2010
Hey everyone
Hope that everything is going good. Texas is sweet, I love it here. Everyday we have more and more crazy things happen ha ha the people of Texas are for sure a different bunch but it has been really great. It is like 90 percent Spanish in my area and that is kinda hard cause it is for sure a different thing than I learned in the MTC but it has been super good. I am learning a lot more everyday and understanding a lot more of it ha ha I still dont talk to much cause you have to know what they are talking about to jump into to conversation so I'm mostly working on that. But I still testify cause I love doing that as you know ha ha ha. The field is a very different feeling. I can't really explain it but I like it a lot. It is harder than the MTC in some ways but thats life ha ha. I love riding my bike around all day and talking to people though it is fun. I might have forgetten sunscreen one day though ha ha ha but it is pretty much already gone. O it was so sweet cause on Saturday we went to the ward activity and it was our ward vs another and it was a soccer game. It isn't like Utah like they all have custom jerseys and stuff but we played and it was pouring rain and windy and super super cold once you stopped playing but it was fun I mean its not everyday that you get trashed at soccer but a 50 year old little hispanic guy but that is what they are good at and it was really fun ha ha ha. Everyday we meet some crazy people ha ha I dont have time to tell all of the stories but I am keeping a really good journal so people can read it ha ha. I love this work though and im working hard at it too. Tomorrow is temple day for mission conference and I'm excited. We have to get rides with the Hermanas everywhere ha ha they had to take us to the library then after this shopping and then to a park or something to play some games. I'm excited it doesnt feel like I get enough sleep out here cause we work so so hard everyday and it just isn't enough sleep but that is ok I didn't sign up to do something easy I'm here to work. Hopefully I will get my camera back tomorrow I left it in the president's wife'. van ha ha. Sorry not many pictures but that is ok I guess. I feel bad cause there is so much to talk about but not enough time to say it all but I'm doing great and working hard. We are in the process of finding more investigators now cause ours aren't wanting to progress so we have to drop a lot. Which is sad but we can't waste our time on someone that is not going to change and it is really hard to do but you have to. OOOO our baptist study group I got to tell you about this it will be the last story though. Elder Messick and his old comp knocked into a bible study group of these old ladies and they weren't like normal baptists down here they were like o I love Jesus come in and talk with us and they were just like super nice little old ladies and the week after their teacher wasn't there so they taught the restoration and gave them Book of Mormons and they were actually really reseptive so we went back for this weeks session last night and their teacher was there and she was teaching out of the bible and we backed up what she was saying with the Book of Mormon like perfectly and then she pulled out the wolves in sheeps clothing and started slamming our church and stuff and she would never deny that the Book of Mormon wasn't from god she actually said that is was but she said its just a good book only the bible is true though. It was really weird though but the BOM is a stone of stumbling and that testified of that. It was fun but I don't think that we are invited back. It was funny she would compliment us in english cause I think she thought I didnt know what she was saying ha ha ha. Well love you all have a great week.
Elder Archibald
Hope that everything is going good. Texas is sweet, I love it here. Everyday we have more and more crazy things happen ha ha the people of Texas are for sure a different bunch but it has been really great. It is like 90 percent Spanish in my area and that is kinda hard cause it is for sure a different thing than I learned in the MTC but it has been super good. I am learning a lot more everyday and understanding a lot more of it ha ha I still dont talk to much cause you have to know what they are talking about to jump into to conversation so I'm mostly working on that. But I still testify cause I love doing that as you know ha ha ha. The field is a very different feeling. I can't really explain it but I like it a lot. It is harder than the MTC in some ways but thats life ha ha. I love riding my bike around all day and talking to people though it is fun. I might have forgetten sunscreen one day though ha ha ha but it is pretty much already gone. O it was so sweet cause on Saturday we went to the ward activity and it was our ward vs another and it was a soccer game. It isn't like Utah like they all have custom jerseys and stuff but we played and it was pouring rain and windy and super super cold once you stopped playing but it was fun I mean its not everyday that you get trashed at soccer but a 50 year old little hispanic guy but that is what they are good at and it was really fun ha ha ha. Everyday we meet some crazy people ha ha I dont have time to tell all of the stories but I am keeping a really good journal so people can read it ha ha. I love this work though and im working hard at it too. Tomorrow is temple day for mission conference and I'm excited. We have to get rides with the Hermanas everywhere ha ha they had to take us to the library then after this shopping and then to a park or something to play some games. I'm excited it doesnt feel like I get enough sleep out here cause we work so so hard everyday and it just isn't enough sleep but that is ok I didn't sign up to do something easy I'm here to work. Hopefully I will get my camera back tomorrow I left it in the president's wife'. van ha ha. Sorry not many pictures but that is ok I guess. I feel bad cause there is so much to talk about but not enough time to say it all but I'm doing great and working hard. We are in the process of finding more investigators now cause ours aren't wanting to progress so we have to drop a lot. Which is sad but we can't waste our time on someone that is not going to change and it is really hard to do but you have to. OOOO our baptist study group I got to tell you about this it will be the last story though. Elder Messick and his old comp knocked into a bible study group of these old ladies and they weren't like normal baptists down here they were like o I love Jesus come in and talk with us and they were just like super nice little old ladies and the week after their teacher wasn't there so they taught the restoration and gave them Book of Mormons and they were actually really reseptive so we went back for this weeks session last night and their teacher was there and she was teaching out of the bible and we backed up what she was saying with the Book of Mormon like perfectly and then she pulled out the wolves in sheeps clothing and started slamming our church and stuff and she would never deny that the Book of Mormon wasn't from god she actually said that is was but she said its just a good book only the bible is true though. It was really weird though but the BOM is a stone of stumbling and that testified of that. It was fun but I don't think that we are invited back. It was funny she would compliment us in english cause I think she thought I didnt know what she was saying ha ha ha. Well love you all have a great week.
Elder Archibald
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
March 16, 2010
Hey!
Hope everything is good at home! I love you all so much! I'm out of the MTC this is my last day and im so stoked! It was a really good learning experience and I loved it then towards the end I felt like I was brain fried cause I have had a fire hose hooked up to my mouth for 2 months! ha ha But it was really good and I have learned so much and still don't feel all of the way realy at all but I think that that is normal. I am for sure ready to get out of here though. ha ha I thought High School was bad but sitting in a class all day everyday is tough. I dont have a whole lot to talk about actually. last night we said goodbye to our teachers and that was really hard actually but I should be used to it or get used to it I guess. I love you all so much and sorry that this weeks was so short there isn't a whole lot that happened this week. I want all of you to know that this church is true and I'm going to work hard out there I won't put shame to any of the names on my tag I promise!
Elder Archibald
Hope everything is good at home! I love you all so much! I'm out of the MTC this is my last day and im so stoked! It was a really good learning experience and I loved it then towards the end I felt like I was brain fried cause I have had a fire hose hooked up to my mouth for 2 months! ha ha But it was really good and I have learned so much and still don't feel all of the way realy at all but I think that that is normal. I am for sure ready to get out of here though. ha ha I thought High School was bad but sitting in a class all day everyday is tough. I dont have a whole lot to talk about actually. last night we said goodbye to our teachers and that was really hard actually but I should be used to it or get used to it I guess. I love you all so much and sorry that this weeks was so short there isn't a whole lot that happened this week. I want all of you to know that this church is true and I'm going to work hard out there I won't put shame to any of the names on my tag I promise!
Elder Archibald
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
I Got more pictures!
So I hooked up with another Missionary Mom in Boise last week and she gave me all of her son's pictures and there were more of Taylor in his pictures than in Taylor's pictures. Enjoy!
Matching ties for our district..
Left to right: Elder Majors, Elder Esplin, Elder Conder, Elder Jenkins, Elder Tay, Elder Olsen, Elder Wilkes, down in front, Elder Wasden.
District Temple Day at the Provo Temple
Archibald and Esplin are History.......
The Spanish didn't go so well...
Elder Tay and his companion Elder Esplin
Elder Tay and his companion Elder Esplin
We all know this handsome guy!
Left to right: Elder Olsen, Elder Wilkes, Elder Major, Elder Jenkins, Elder Archibald, Elder Esplin, Elder Wasden
Matching ties for our district..
Left to right: Elder Majors, Elder Esplin, Elder Conder, Elder Jenkins, Elder Tay, Elder Olsen, Elder Wilkes, down in front, Elder Wasden.
District Temple Day at the Provo Temple
Archibald and Esplin are History.......
The Spanish didn't go so well...
Elder Tay and his companion Elder Esplin
Elder Tay and his companion Elder Esplin
We all know this handsome guy!
Left to right: Elder Olsen, Elder Wilkes, Elder Major, Elder Jenkins, Elder Archibald, Elder Esplin, Elder Wasden
March 9, 2010
Hey everyone. Hope everything is going good with you. Everything is great here. Spanish is really coming a long more this past week. Not a whole lot has happened this week... Kinda just the normal MTC week. But we got our FLIGHT PLANS!!! ha ha that is all the excitement this week. We are leaving on the 17th here at 6 in the morning. Our departure time is at 10:45 and we will calling be so hopefully everyone can talk around then... I want to call Liza for just a few minutes too. Elder Woods just got here this week not last ha ha but I got your hug mom thanks. Everyhintg is going pretty great here though. O Brook tell your mom that she was right you never realize how much drool till you have a white pillow case ha ha ha and when you sleep on the bottom bunk with no light then it is hard to tell but I'm washing it now :) ha ha ha. I dont know what else to talk about. I'm excited to get to Texas and do this for real. Me and my companion teach lessons 3-4 times everyday and it has really been good. I hope that I get a Native companion that can't speak english ha ha ha or at least a trainer that won't speak English. I love Spanish and when I get home I hope that you all learn Spanish cause that is all that I am speaking... except to Brook ha ha ha ha. I love you all know that i love you I have been trying to send everyone a letter sometimes. Sorry this weeks is so short but I sure do love you and can't wait to talk to you in a week. O and I'm the flight leaderMarch so we are partying in the airport ha ha ha just kidding. Have a most wonderful week. !Nos Vemos!
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
March 2, 2010
Hey everyone, I hope everything is good! I love you all so much! The Spanish is for sure coming along. Tomorrow we get to teach the Plan of Salvation with The Word of Wisdom. So that will be super fun.... I'm not too worried about teaching it because we have already taught it a lot. I love speaking to Natives though ha ha. There is a native hermana next to me and I can actually understand it. How's everything going there? Thanks for all of the letters and stuff. O by the way my email has changed because they are updating it. This one should be easy to remember though. I haven't seen any of the the Houston Missionaries. We don't see too many English speakers here. I'm not sick but I have been super tired lately. That is so crazy about Chile we have heard a ton about it here. O and dont worry about my retainers ha ha ha I wear them. And i am working out plenty so i dont get fat ha ha. I have lost 3 pounds this week. So now im 177.5 ha ha ha. Biggest I have ever been.. I hope that the trip is good. I am doing good and working hard. The Spanish comes more and more each day. Hey i wanted to get Liza something little, would she like a flashlight for camping with like flowers on it? We are very limited to what we can get for presents here at the MTC ha ha ha. Is Brook doing any better? I hope so ha ha she is always so busy she cant afford to get sick but still she ALWAYS gets sickand still manages to pull it off. She is just amazing. Lucky me. Well I hope that things are good love you all write if you have time and just give me an update on how you are doing. -Elder Archibald
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
February 23, 2010
Hey everyone.
Things are good here. The MTC is an awesome place.... but I cant wait to get out of it ha ha ha. Im excited to go to the feild and get to work. I have learned a ton here in the MTC and its kinda hard cause I'm confident in my abilities to teach in English but Spanish I'm for sure not so confident. But its still coming a long. I hope that everything is going good for everyone I pray for you all. Thanks for everything that you do for me. Its great to have this much support.
Elder Esplins birthday is today. Thanks for the package mom. We all got him an alarm clock and a card for his birthday and I think it is going good so far.
Hey mom if you would forward these little messages to whoever they need to go to i dont have time to write them all today.
Zach
Hey bro!
The MTC is pretty sweet and im having some cool experiences. It's crazy how much more you can feel the spirit here. At least for me. Liza has such a tight hold on my heart ha ha and when i hear stories like that it gets me pretty good. I love her so much and would love to be with her every night. You are one lucky dad. Happy anniversary man! I sure hope that everythings is good with you guys and I love you all so much!
Makayla!
Happy birthday soon i love you so so much.
Things are good here. The MTC is an awesome place.... but I cant wait to get out of it ha ha ha. Im excited to go to the feild and get to work. I have learned a ton here in the MTC and its kinda hard cause I'm confident in my abilities to teach in English but Spanish I'm for sure not so confident. But its still coming a long. I hope that everything is going good for everyone I pray for you all. Thanks for everything that you do for me. Its great to have this much support.
Elder Esplins birthday is today. Thanks for the package mom. We all got him an alarm clock and a card for his birthday and I think it is going good so far.
Hey mom if you would forward these little messages to whoever they need to go to i dont have time to write them all today.
Zach
Hey bro!
The MTC is pretty sweet and im having some cool experiences. It's crazy how much more you can feel the spirit here. At least for me. Liza has such a tight hold on my heart ha ha and when i hear stories like that it gets me pretty good. I love her so much and would love to be with her every night. You are one lucky dad. Happy anniversary man! I sure hope that everythings is good with you guys and I love you all so much!
Makayla!
Happy birthday soon i love you so so much.
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
February 16, 2010
Hi Everyone!
Tell Jordan that is so exciting that he was able to go to the temple and i hope that he enjoyed it.
The Language is coming so so much this last week. We have taught the Restoration a few times now and today we are going to do it a few times more so that we can do good in the TRC tomorrow. I hope everyone is going good!
Sorry I sent my tape player to Brook I just knew she didnt have one and i borrowed my roomates. I ate your mint Valentine heart in like 5 minutes. I got released as District Leader this last Sunday. The new one Elder Wilkes isn't really making people happy cause he is being super strict about things that arent rules ha ha but that is ok i guess. Hopefully I don't get glued to my companion ha ha cause for the exceptions to the sight and sound he is saying no. Its funny but kinda weird.
Well i sure do love you all and hope that you know that this church is true..
I can't think of what else to talk about sorry.
Yo se que Jesucristo vive y es my salvador se que mediante Jose smith Jesucristo restorado su inglesia.
Elder Archibald
P.S. Sorry it isn't too much this week! Thanks for everything that you have all done for me.
Tell Jordan that is so exciting that he was able to go to the temple and i hope that he enjoyed it.
The Language is coming so so much this last week. We have taught the Restoration a few times now and today we are going to do it a few times more so that we can do good in the TRC tomorrow. I hope everyone is going good!
Sorry I sent my tape player to Brook I just knew she didnt have one and i borrowed my roomates. I ate your mint Valentine heart in like 5 minutes. I got released as District Leader this last Sunday. The new one Elder Wilkes isn't really making people happy cause he is being super strict about things that arent rules ha ha but that is ok i guess. Hopefully I don't get glued to my companion ha ha cause for the exceptions to the sight and sound he is saying no. Its funny but kinda weird.
Well i sure do love you all and hope that you know that this church is true..
I can't think of what else to talk about sorry.
Yo se que Jesucristo vive y es my salvador se que mediante Jose smith Jesucristo restorado su inglesia.
Elder Archibald
P.S. Sorry it isn't too much this week! Thanks for everything that you have all done for me.
Thursday, February 11, 2010
February 11, 2010 tape from the MTC
Hola,
It's 6:30 am and I'm going to take you through a day of missionary work. Normally I would be showering right now but we have gym so we're going to go get a sack breakfast and we don't have to get dressed up but I am going to get into warm clothes because it's cold. Well I lost my blue card and my key so I'm going to have a cinnamon roll for breakfast and my companion is very distraught chiste (joke). We're just walking over to breakfast and it's nice and chilly. Oh and I gave away my coat so I just don't have anything chiste (joke). All of the dorm buildings look the exact same here and every once in a while either me or my companion go to the wrong one. And today he went to the wrong one. Elder Esplin says "I didn't go all the way to the door like you have" Taylor "he got pretty close though" Elder Esplin "10 feet is hardly close". They are laughing....
We went and stood in line for half an hour and then a lady let me still get breakfast even though I didn't have my blue card but she wasn't too happy about it. I think I left it back at our class though. On the way back from breakfast that's when the whole door incident happened. Then we just finished eating back at our room and now we are going to get ready and go play some volley ball or what ever we're doing at the gym, should be fun though. Elder Wilkes and Elder Olsin finally came back from where ever they were. I didn't' even see them I rolled out of bed and they were gone and then we came back and our beds were all made super nice. Did you do it Elder Wilkes? "Oh, maybe..."
Now we are going to go to gym because it's in 10 minutes but I can't take my recorder there cuz there's no where to put it. I'll go over what we do. We get in our gym clothes and we run like crazy because it's freezing cold out there and we are in our gym clothes and then we play volleyball and do whatever we do and then we run back.
Just got back from gym and it's a race to the showers right Esplin? After you...
Now we are heading out to class. We had to get ready in our suits and what else did we have to do? Elder Esplin says "you had to make sure you have your belt". Yeah, today's a really off day for me I feel like I'm forgetting everything. It's not good because today's a busy day, just like every other day actually. Now we are going to class and study our little brains out cuz we have to have a ton of Spanish memorized by this afternoon that we haven't even worked on yet. So it should be a long day. "Are you ready for this Elder Esplin"? "Not particularly". Yeah, me either, so it should be really fun..
Well, we're headed to a T.E. which is a Teaching Evaluation. What you normally do is you have a lesson that you want to teach and you go and teach a teacher who is pretending to be an investigator. But today we decided to be a little wild right Elder Esplin? "I think we got the idea from somebody else". Si, but we are going to go and find out what this teachers needs are and then teach accordingly. So we don't have anything planned but it's going to be interesting because we don't have a lesson to stick to we just have our scriptures and Preach My Gospel that we probably won't end up using, so it should be fun.
We just got done with the T.E. so how did it go Elder Esplin? "Far better than our first one probably". Yeah we need work still but we will keep working and it went ok I guess. Now it's time for class. Well we walked into class and realized it was lunch time. So we are going to go to lunch and we should be there right on time only to stand in line for at least 15 minutes to eat. There is some unwritten rule that we have wait forever to eat. But sometimes I play it really tricky and I don't have to wait in line for lunch, except then it doesn't taste very good. I don't know why, I guess waiting makes it taste better, who knows. Well we just got done with lunch and I totally forgot today was ice cream day, but I still got some amazing ice cream. How was yours Elder? "Well I intended originally to grab one of those mini pizza things that they had but I decided I didn't have room but I had a nice bratwurst with sauerkraut". I was actually trying to get the bratwurst but I got the pizza so we switched. But now we get to go pick up the mail. Hopefully there is something for everyone. Well I got Mallari's package and I'm excited to see what's inside. It's pretty heavy. And I got a letter from Brook so it was a good day. Mom and whoever is listening to this, Elder Esplin has this story about a blue tie that was really just a great tie but was in the wrong place at the wrong time. Tell us about it Elder Esplin. "It depends upon your point of view it could be in the right place at the right time and honestly too incoooooonnn....I speak perfect English I swear. Inconsequential story at the most". Taylor goes on...what happened is he just sat down and his tie flew forward right into the hot fudge he just served up so we are headed to the laundry mat so he can get it dry cleaned. Now off to class to deliver all these people's mail.
Things got little busy for a little while. We went to the TRC. Hey Elder what does TRC stand for? "Teaching Resource Center". Teaching Resource Center it's where we go and today we picked someone up went to a room and pretended that we were on a bus speaking Spanish the whole time. We had to ask them tons of questions and talk for probably 5-10 minutes. "15 minutes total" Elder Esplin says. And we had to understand what the other person was saying which is a little hard at some points but it was really good actually, I feel like we did well. Uno momento por favor. Where are you guys going? Oh bummer... (Taylor continues) And then after that we taught the plan of Salvation, or the plan of happiness or the plan of redemption it depends on how you look at it. Elder Esplin says "It depends on how you look at Christ". Yeah. It went well, we need work, but I think it went really well. We had a cute little Chinese old lady, "Japanese old lady" yeah, Japanese lady that spoke Spanish but we taught it in English. She spoke a little bit of Spanish, Cantonese, Japanese, Mandarin, yeah she was multi-lingual. And now we are about to stand in a huge line for lunch, I mean dinner, they all seem the same here....
We just got out of dinner a little while ago and went and got mail and went to the bookstore for a few cheap things that I needed and now we are going into our class building. Is it study time right now? It is now study time. We went to Hermano Samons class and learned a bunch on how to teach and some Spanish stuff. We learned future tense today for commitments. Then we cleaned the classroom and sang "Angels we have heard on high" in Spanish for the three millionth time since we have been here. It's getting old! Now we are back at the residence hall or dorms and I am getting undressed and then redressed for bed. Oh yeah, and Brook today in her letter she said that she wants to know what goes on throughout the day for misisonaries which is kind of a coincidence which is what I am doing right now with you and her as well. Elder Day, say hi, "Hello, who is this?" I don't know whoever listens to it. "Family, Novia?" Probably both. "Oh, you have a Novia? Oh Hello Novia, Hello Family." Elder Day is lonely his girlfriend doesn't write. "It's true, seven and a half weeks it's ridiculous! Ridiculoso!!!" Yeah, it's pretty bad. Why are you looking through my shirts??? Gracias, Porte! I guess that one of my shirts is being stolen. Dang it I can't chase him cuz I'm in my garments. Elder Wilkes is releasing gas out in the hall. hahaha. Elder Wilkes does a mean George Bush impression. "Is it George Bush, it's just a Texan....Listen this is America and in America we have big steaks and we don't get them small and skimpy like ya'll at the Golden Corral so give me a big steak".... Taylor is laughing "And Elder Wilkes you stink! You did not let that settle out in the hall"...
Taylor continues... but Mal and Zach sent me a package with a bunch of goodies in it. I'm going to put some clothes on and then I'm going to go get my shirt back and then I'm going to write in my journal and then I'm going to go to bed after prayer of course. But that's for the most part a missionaries day. Hopefully I'll send this off tomorrow. I love you all! Bye...
Well just when I thought that the day was over, I took a big handful of Mike and Ikes and swallowed it..... Taylor is now yelling "No no me gusta don't throw it at me" he then explains that Elder Wasden is throwing a thing with needles sticking out at people.
Anyway I took a handful of Mike and Ikes and there was a spider in it. I felt it in my throat and I hocked a lugie and it landed on my journal, but luckily I don't like this journal so I've already been copying it to a better one. So luckily I won't have a giant spit mark on the journal that I actually like, but that was pretty gross. Oh, and I did find my blue card. Oh and Elder Day was just ironing my shirt for me he wasn't stealing it. Elder Wasden is throwing things at people. I don't know if as District Leader if I'm supposed to stop him or just lock our door. But I think I'm just going to lock our door and keep writing in my journal. I think that's it. I sure do love you. Oh yeah, I was going to maybe do a full week of missionary work, or at least a few days, but tomorrow is a speak only Spanish day so that wouldn't be very fun for you or me. So we'll just call it one good day. Adios!
It's 6:30 am and I'm going to take you through a day of missionary work. Normally I would be showering right now but we have gym so we're going to go get a sack breakfast and we don't have to get dressed up but I am going to get into warm clothes because it's cold. Well I lost my blue card and my key so I'm going to have a cinnamon roll for breakfast and my companion is very distraught chiste (joke). We're just walking over to breakfast and it's nice and chilly. Oh and I gave away my coat so I just don't have anything chiste (joke). All of the dorm buildings look the exact same here and every once in a while either me or my companion go to the wrong one. And today he went to the wrong one. Elder Esplin says "I didn't go all the way to the door like you have" Taylor "he got pretty close though" Elder Esplin "10 feet is hardly close". They are laughing....
We went and stood in line for half an hour and then a lady let me still get breakfast even though I didn't have my blue card but she wasn't too happy about it. I think I left it back at our class though. On the way back from breakfast that's when the whole door incident happened. Then we just finished eating back at our room and now we are going to get ready and go play some volley ball or what ever we're doing at the gym, should be fun though. Elder Wilkes and Elder Olsin finally came back from where ever they were. I didn't' even see them I rolled out of bed and they were gone and then we came back and our beds were all made super nice. Did you do it Elder Wilkes? "Oh, maybe..."
Now we are going to go to gym because it's in 10 minutes but I can't take my recorder there cuz there's no where to put it. I'll go over what we do. We get in our gym clothes and we run like crazy because it's freezing cold out there and we are in our gym clothes and then we play volleyball and do whatever we do and then we run back.
Just got back from gym and it's a race to the showers right Esplin? After you...
Now we are heading out to class. We had to get ready in our suits and what else did we have to do? Elder Esplin says "you had to make sure you have your belt". Yeah, today's a really off day for me I feel like I'm forgetting everything. It's not good because today's a busy day, just like every other day actually. Now we are going to class and study our little brains out cuz we have to have a ton of Spanish memorized by this afternoon that we haven't even worked on yet. So it should be a long day. "Are you ready for this Elder Esplin"? "Not particularly". Yeah, me either, so it should be really fun..
Well, we're headed to a T.E. which is a Teaching Evaluation. What you normally do is you have a lesson that you want to teach and you go and teach a teacher who is pretending to be an investigator. But today we decided to be a little wild right Elder Esplin? "I think we got the idea from somebody else". Si, but we are going to go and find out what this teachers needs are and then teach accordingly. So we don't have anything planned but it's going to be interesting because we don't have a lesson to stick to we just have our scriptures and Preach My Gospel that we probably won't end up using, so it should be fun.
We just got done with the T.E. so how did it go Elder Esplin? "Far better than our first one probably". Yeah we need work still but we will keep working and it went ok I guess. Now it's time for class. Well we walked into class and realized it was lunch time. So we are going to go to lunch and we should be there right on time only to stand in line for at least 15 minutes to eat. There is some unwritten rule that we have wait forever to eat. But sometimes I play it really tricky and I don't have to wait in line for lunch, except then it doesn't taste very good. I don't know why, I guess waiting makes it taste better, who knows. Well we just got done with lunch and I totally forgot today was ice cream day, but I still got some amazing ice cream. How was yours Elder? "Well I intended originally to grab one of those mini pizza things that they had but I decided I didn't have room but I had a nice bratwurst with sauerkraut". I was actually trying to get the bratwurst but I got the pizza so we switched. But now we get to go pick up the mail. Hopefully there is something for everyone. Well I got Mallari's package and I'm excited to see what's inside. It's pretty heavy. And I got a letter from Brook so it was a good day. Mom and whoever is listening to this, Elder Esplin has this story about a blue tie that was really just a great tie but was in the wrong place at the wrong time. Tell us about it Elder Esplin. "It depends upon your point of view it could be in the right place at the right time and honestly too incoooooonnn....I speak perfect English I swear. Inconsequential story at the most". Taylor goes on...what happened is he just sat down and his tie flew forward right into the hot fudge he just served up so we are headed to the laundry mat so he can get it dry cleaned. Now off to class to deliver all these people's mail.
Things got little busy for a little while. We went to the TRC. Hey Elder what does TRC stand for? "Teaching Resource Center". Teaching Resource Center it's where we go and today we picked someone up went to a room and pretended that we were on a bus speaking Spanish the whole time. We had to ask them tons of questions and talk for probably 5-10 minutes. "15 minutes total" Elder Esplin says. And we had to understand what the other person was saying which is a little hard at some points but it was really good actually, I feel like we did well. Uno momento por favor. Where are you guys going? Oh bummer... (Taylor continues) And then after that we taught the plan of Salvation, or the plan of happiness or the plan of redemption it depends on how you look at it. Elder Esplin says "It depends on how you look at Christ". Yeah. It went well, we need work, but I think it went really well. We had a cute little Chinese old lady, "Japanese old lady" yeah, Japanese lady that spoke Spanish but we taught it in English. She spoke a little bit of Spanish, Cantonese, Japanese, Mandarin, yeah she was multi-lingual. And now we are about to stand in a huge line for lunch, I mean dinner, they all seem the same here....
We just got out of dinner a little while ago and went and got mail and went to the bookstore for a few cheap things that I needed and now we are going into our class building. Is it study time right now? It is now study time. We went to Hermano Samons class and learned a bunch on how to teach and some Spanish stuff. We learned future tense today for commitments. Then we cleaned the classroom and sang "Angels we have heard on high" in Spanish for the three millionth time since we have been here. It's getting old! Now we are back at the residence hall or dorms and I am getting undressed and then redressed for bed. Oh yeah, and Brook today in her letter she said that she wants to know what goes on throughout the day for misisonaries which is kind of a coincidence which is what I am doing right now with you and her as well. Elder Day, say hi, "Hello, who is this?" I don't know whoever listens to it. "Family, Novia?" Probably both. "Oh, you have a Novia? Oh Hello Novia, Hello Family." Elder Day is lonely his girlfriend doesn't write. "It's true, seven and a half weeks it's ridiculous! Ridiculoso!!!" Yeah, it's pretty bad. Why are you looking through my shirts??? Gracias, Porte! I guess that one of my shirts is being stolen. Dang it I can't chase him cuz I'm in my garments. Elder Wilkes is releasing gas out in the hall. hahaha. Elder Wilkes does a mean George Bush impression. "Is it George Bush, it's just a Texan....Listen this is America and in America we have big steaks and we don't get them small and skimpy like ya'll at the Golden Corral so give me a big steak".... Taylor is laughing "And Elder Wilkes you stink! You did not let that settle out in the hall"...
Taylor continues... but Mal and Zach sent me a package with a bunch of goodies in it. I'm going to put some clothes on and then I'm going to go get my shirt back and then I'm going to write in my journal and then I'm going to go to bed after prayer of course. But that's for the most part a missionaries day. Hopefully I'll send this off tomorrow. I love you all! Bye...
Well just when I thought that the day was over, I took a big handful of Mike and Ikes and swallowed it..... Taylor is now yelling "No no me gusta don't throw it at me" he then explains that Elder Wasden is throwing a thing with needles sticking out at people.
Anyway I took a handful of Mike and Ikes and there was a spider in it. I felt it in my throat and I hocked a lugie and it landed on my journal, but luckily I don't like this journal so I've already been copying it to a better one. So luckily I won't have a giant spit mark on the journal that I actually like, but that was pretty gross. Oh, and I did find my blue card. Oh and Elder Day was just ironing my shirt for me he wasn't stealing it. Elder Wasden is throwing things at people. I don't know if as District Leader if I'm supposed to stop him or just lock our door. But I think I'm just going to lock our door and keep writing in my journal. I think that's it. I sure do love you. Oh yeah, I was going to maybe do a full week of missionary work, or at least a few days, but tomorrow is a speak only Spanish day so that wouldn't be very fun for you or me. So we'll just call it one good day. Adios!
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Hey everyone!
Ok, Mom I am going to answer all of your questions. I have tons of food and candy that I don't know if I will ever eat, but I'm trying. Today me and my companion had scones for breakfast that Mal sent and they were great. The food here does get old fast....everything is tasting pretty much the same but I have gained 10 pounds since I have been here and then lost 2 pounds. I'm not fat or anything and I still have my 6 pack hahahah. I'm good on blankets I actually sleep really really good now cause I'm so worn out by the time I get to bed. With the Texas flag I'm going to hang it up either in our room or in our classroom hahahaha you have to Rep your state you know. :) I think they are switching me out of District Leader cuz it's almost the half way mark so I think they will probably do that Sunday. I like it but it is stressful cause I try and study but have to make sure everyone else is doing what they are supposed to and I have meetings and stuff so it will be nice to have a break but I still love it. The people that were struggling in my district have been doing better. I just wanted my blue suit. I missed it and here we have to wear a suit everyday but I will probably send it back when I leave cause I will just wear slacks when I get there. My tennis shoes are good I hardly ever wear them. Yeah lots of people write to me. I am doing really good the language is tough but is still coming. I love this work and can't wait to go to Houston. I don't feel like I'm in Utah anymore to be honest the only time that I feel like I am is when I go to the temple. It looks the same as the Ogden temple so every time I go I look for my mom on the other side and it's tough.
I love you all and I know that this work is true. Have Jordan and Rylee write me I haven't heard from them lately. Oh and just a warning I need to say. Nobody try to come visit me hahaha that would be way too hard and way against the rules. I have already called kids out on it when we go on the temple walk and by them doing it we will all lose temple walk next week. Just see me in a few years. :) Love you all and I know that you wouldn't do that but just had to say it. Bye!
Ok, Mom I am going to answer all of your questions. I have tons of food and candy that I don't know if I will ever eat, but I'm trying. Today me and my companion had scones for breakfast that Mal sent and they were great. The food here does get old fast....everything is tasting pretty much the same but I have gained 10 pounds since I have been here and then lost 2 pounds. I'm not fat or anything and I still have my 6 pack hahahah. I'm good on blankets I actually sleep really really good now cause I'm so worn out by the time I get to bed. With the Texas flag I'm going to hang it up either in our room or in our classroom hahahaha you have to Rep your state you know. :) I think they are switching me out of District Leader cuz it's almost the half way mark so I think they will probably do that Sunday. I like it but it is stressful cause I try and study but have to make sure everyone else is doing what they are supposed to and I have meetings and stuff so it will be nice to have a break but I still love it. The people that were struggling in my district have been doing better. I just wanted my blue suit. I missed it and here we have to wear a suit everyday but I will probably send it back when I leave cause I will just wear slacks when I get there. My tennis shoes are good I hardly ever wear them. Yeah lots of people write to me. I am doing really good the language is tough but is still coming. I love this work and can't wait to go to Houston. I don't feel like I'm in Utah anymore to be honest the only time that I feel like I am is when I go to the temple. It looks the same as the Ogden temple so every time I go I look for my mom on the other side and it's tough.
I love you all and I know that this work is true. Have Jordan and Rylee write me I haven't heard from them lately. Oh and just a warning I need to say. Nobody try to come visit me hahaha that would be way too hard and way against the rules. I have already called kids out on it when we go on the temple walk and by them doing it we will all lose temple walk next week. Just see me in a few years. :) Love you all and I know that you wouldn't do that but just had to say it. Bye!
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Hey everyone,
How are things going? Everything here is great! I love learning so so much. I found the coolest way to mark my scriptures this week, it has been the excitement of the week. I am still doing good with most everything but the language is getting challenging. I'm just not stressing over it because I know that if I keep studying that I will get it. It's just tough because you have to do so much stuff all at once here and its a huge part of why Elders learn it so fast. I hope things are going good at home. I pray for you guys every night. Thanks for all of the letters and packages. Getting mail is fun. Since I am the District Leader I get the mail so I get to play games with the Elders in my district. hahaha Sorry I can't take many pictures, we can only take pictures on Sunday and pday. There isn't much to take pictures of here anyway. I love you all and love hearing from you.
Elder Archibald
Yo se que el libro de Mormon es Verdadero
How are things going? Everything here is great! I love learning so so much. I found the coolest way to mark my scriptures this week, it has been the excitement of the week. I am still doing good with most everything but the language is getting challenging. I'm just not stressing over it because I know that if I keep studying that I will get it. It's just tough because you have to do so much stuff all at once here and its a huge part of why Elders learn it so fast. I hope things are going good at home. I pray for you guys every night. Thanks for all of the letters and packages. Getting mail is fun. Since I am the District Leader I get the mail so I get to play games with the Elders in my district. hahaha Sorry I can't take many pictures, we can only take pictures on Sunday and pday. There isn't much to take pictures of here anyway. I love you all and love hearing from you.
Elder Archibald
Yo se que el libro de Mormon es Verdadero
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Answering a few questions in this weeks email
How many Elders are in your room? There are 4 elders in my room.
How many are in your district? There are 9 elders in my district, Elder Archuleta moved to a different district.
Are they all going to the THE mission? 2 Elders are going to Independence Missouri, and the rest of the district is going to the THE mission.
Where is Elder Esplin from? Elder Esplin is from a small town in Oregon.
What is the best thing you've eaten since you got there? It's all about the same...
Do you like the food? It's ok, but not like Mom's cooking.
What is your room like? My room is old and the beds are terrible.
Do you sleep ok? Last night was the best nights sleep since I got here.
Is it cold in there like I've heard? It is really crazy on the temp sometimes its cold or hot.
What's your favorite activity during the week? Or what do you look forward to the most? Volleyball is pretty fun.
How are your toes feeling (after toenail surgery)? Toes are fine.
What are some of the district leader's responsibilities? I get the mail, interview my district and make sure everything is good.
As a family what things can we do to support you besides the obvious letters and prayers? Anything else? Everyone write, that's probably the most that you can do.
Are there Elders or Sisters that you know that you've been able to spend time with? I have seen lots of people I know, but we don't hang out.
As of right now what single experience has strengthened you the most since you arrived at the MTC? How fast the language is coming is for sure the coolest.
I love you all keep writing its great to hear from you. Yo se que Jesucristo vive y el libro de mormon es verdadero. Yo se que el evangelio de Jesucristo es verdadero. Don't get that translated it might be wrong ha ha. But i know that Jesus lives and that the Book of Mormon is true. I know that the gospel of Jesus Christ is true. That's what it's supposed to say. Love you all keep writing.
Elder Archibald
How many are in your district? There are 9 elders in my district, Elder Archuleta moved to a different district.
Are they all going to the THE mission? 2 Elders are going to Independence Missouri, and the rest of the district is going to the THE mission.
Where is Elder Esplin from? Elder Esplin is from a small town in Oregon.
What is the best thing you've eaten since you got there? It's all about the same...
Do you like the food? It's ok, but not like Mom's cooking.
What is your room like? My room is old and the beds are terrible.
Do you sleep ok? Last night was the best nights sleep since I got here.
Is it cold in there like I've heard? It is really crazy on the temp sometimes its cold or hot.
What's your favorite activity during the week? Or what do you look forward to the most? Volleyball is pretty fun.
How are your toes feeling (after toenail surgery)? Toes are fine.
What are some of the district leader's responsibilities? I get the mail, interview my district and make sure everything is good.
As a family what things can we do to support you besides the obvious letters and prayers? Anything else? Everyone write, that's probably the most that you can do.
Are there Elders or Sisters that you know that you've been able to spend time with? I have seen lots of people I know, but we don't hang out.
As of right now what single experience has strengthened you the most since you arrived at the MTC? How fast the language is coming is for sure the coolest.
I love you all keep writing its great to hear from you. Yo se que Jesucristo vive y el libro de mormon es verdadero. Yo se que el evangelio de Jesucristo es verdadero. Don't get that translated it might be wrong ha ha. But i know that Jesus lives and that the Book of Mormon is true. I know that the gospel of Jesus Christ is true. That's what it's supposed to say. Love you all keep writing.
Elder Archibald
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Taylor's 1st Email from the MTC...
Hey,
MTC is pretty sweet. I'm already learning so much Spanish and it's really cool cause you can really see the gift of tongues coming into play in everyone studying. I guess miracles really do still happen eh? On Sunday I became district leader and before that I was the temporary district leader so I kinda have been the whole time I have been here. I miss you all and hope that everything is going great. Anyone can email me here I just can't email them back I will have to write letters. We have an Elder that is struggling and it has really made being district leader a little difficult but we are all praying our guts out. I love you all so so much and am remembering you in my prayers. (which I now do in Spanish):) Everyone keep writing it has been a huge help to me. You guys have to do it first cause I need addresses. I love the life of a Missionary! I just want you all to know that I know that this gospel is true and that this work is so so great. Over the last few days I have already gained such a testimony of it. And now I truly understand why they said every worth member and also why they raised the bar. A lot of people don't realize the worth of every soul is great in the sight of God otherwise they wouldn't think twice about going on a mission because it is truly a great thing to give people the opportunity to be with their families forever like I will be. :) And to let them know how much God loves them. Gods love is perfect and He loves us all so so personally and I can really feel His love. Can you imagine someone out there that doesn't know that love? I can't, it kills me inside...haha I probably shouldn't start crying in the middle of the laundry room though haha... I'm having a great time though and just doing laundry on my p day. My companion is pretty awesome haha he isn't really like me at all but we still get along great. Haha in the MTC we sing and pray a lot and it's in Spanish too so a lot of what we are singing I don't understand but who knows maybe singing in Spanish will improve my singing voice hahaha but I doubt that. But I have never prayed like this with this much feeling. Everyone just know that I love you and that God loves you. Sorry this is so long and random I'm just trying to use all 30 minutes and I have only used 20 hahaha but I will probably still cut it short. I pray for all of you. And Mom are you still singing at night? I am hahaha. Love you all! Please keep the letters and Dear Elders coming but no Dear Johns please :) (Brook). This was an aimless email once I get questions then I will be more organized.
Elder Phillip Taylor Archibald
MTC is pretty sweet. I'm already learning so much Spanish and it's really cool cause you can really see the gift of tongues coming into play in everyone studying. I guess miracles really do still happen eh? On Sunday I became district leader and before that I was the temporary district leader so I kinda have been the whole time I have been here. I miss you all and hope that everything is going great. Anyone can email me here I just can't email them back I will have to write letters. We have an Elder that is struggling and it has really made being district leader a little difficult but we are all praying our guts out. I love you all so so much and am remembering you in my prayers. (which I now do in Spanish):) Everyone keep writing it has been a huge help to me. You guys have to do it first cause I need addresses. I love the life of a Missionary! I just want you all to know that I know that this gospel is true and that this work is so so great. Over the last few days I have already gained such a testimony of it. And now I truly understand why they said every worth member and also why they raised the bar. A lot of people don't realize the worth of every soul is great in the sight of God otherwise they wouldn't think twice about going on a mission because it is truly a great thing to give people the opportunity to be with their families forever like I will be. :) And to let them know how much God loves them. Gods love is perfect and He loves us all so so personally and I can really feel His love. Can you imagine someone out there that doesn't know that love? I can't, it kills me inside...haha I probably shouldn't start crying in the middle of the laundry room though haha... I'm having a great time though and just doing laundry on my p day. My companion is pretty awesome haha he isn't really like me at all but we still get along great. Haha in the MTC we sing and pray a lot and it's in Spanish too so a lot of what we are singing I don't understand but who knows maybe singing in Spanish will improve my singing voice hahaha but I doubt that. But I have never prayed like this with this much feeling. Everyone just know that I love you and that God loves you. Sorry this is so long and random I'm just trying to use all 30 minutes and I have only used 20 hahaha but I will probably still cut it short. I pray for all of you. And Mom are you still singing at night? I am hahaha. Love you all! Please keep the letters and Dear Elders coming but no Dear Johns please :) (Brook). This was an aimless email once I get questions then I will be more organized.
Elder Phillip Taylor Archibald
Friday, January 15, 2010
Elder Archibald's first letter from the MTC
Hey Mom, Things are going great here. I"m all settled in and unpacked. Elder Holland came and spoke and bore strong testimony of the work we are doing. It was a great day. I will send you a picture of me and my roommates. My comps name is Elder Esplin he is on the left (in the picture he promised to send in his next letter). This is short cuz it's 10:28 and lights out. I love you so much. xoxo Elder Archibald P.S. Forgot Brooks address so will you hand deliver hers for me ASAP? Gracias.
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Taylor ran into a friend at the MTC
We were all standing in the parking lot saying our goodbyes and suddenly Taylor called out "Hey Chris" and a missionary that was walking through the parking lot turned around and came over to talk to him. He is going to the Phillipines on his mission and it was neat for Taylor to see someone that he knew there.
Off to the MTC
Wednesday was a day filled with lots of emotions for all of us. Taylor seemed a little anxious and uncertain, but so excited at the same time. We were up until 2:30 am packing so we were both pretty tired. We left North Ogden about 9:30 to head to Provo to meet Phil and Cindy for lunch before we took him to the MTC. We listened to the Called to Serve CD and sang and visited a little, but mostly Taylor was deep in thought. We ate lunch at the Brick Oven and then headed to the MTC to take some pictures, say our good bye's and "drop him off" at the curb. I was grateful we didn't have the whole MTC program that they used to do. I had more than enough emotions on my own and wasn't sure I could handle the added emotions of their spiritual program and singing Called to Serve, so I was grateful for the new way of dropping them off. When we pulled up to the curb, he seemed very confident, strong, and excited. He went around and gave everyone one last hug, grabbed his luggage and started walking up the hill with his escort and never looked back. I was hoping he would look back so I could see his smile one last time and wave, but the fact that he didn't look back somehow gave me strength.
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