Subject: Boo ya, Two weeks
Well I have officially been in the MTC for two weeks now, and I must say the the weeks are picking up. I have no idea where all the time is going. I am still struggling through my spanish but I know that if I am putting forth my best effort the barrier between me and my investigators will be bridged by the spirit. I cannot stress enough, the need for preparation befor the mission. I thought that I was, doing pretty good from a religous, and doctrinal stand point. But when you get out here you realize that you really don't know as much as you thought that you did. So for all those who may be reading this letter, and are planning on going on a mission. Please heed my counsel and prepare as much as possible, so that when you get out in the field you can be the best missionary possible. Well last week was a pretty good week for me, I really started grasping the spanish language, and there is still so much more to understand. We were able to teach three investigators so far and it can be so frustrating when trying to convey your feeling to them in thier native tounge. But ive had so many great experience already here in the MTC. Meal time here is so great, its just an endless buffet of food. And my favorite DRINKS mostly the chocolate milk, jajaja. We had the oppurtunity of going to the temple this last week and it was so fun going to a temple that i haven't been to before. Also this last week I had the great pleasure of having my best friends visit me. Elder Whittle and Elder Terry, and evern Elder Avery came. It was nice just to see some fimiliar faces and have the chance of talking with them whille here in the MTC.
Elder Terry left this Tuesday and it kinda sucked because I wasn't able to say goodbye. He was busy doing all his packing and it was kinda late in the evening. Im glad that he is able to get out there and do the work now. Elder Whittle and I get to see each other every week in choir practice, and in the choir for tuesday devotionals. I even started sittting with him during those things. So we are able to talk alot, he mostly in Spanish, and I a little bit of both. jajaja. Well sounds like everyone is just continuing their lives. I haven't heard anything from Bernie whats up with that. And I'd like to hear more from Keyton about his high school experiences. Sounds like g's house is coming along slowly but surely. Id like to see how its looking now. Well thank you so much for all your letters. Until next time.
Amor Elder Moore
Everything.Happens.For.A.Reason
Catch.You.On.The.Flip.Side
K TOWN MISSIONARY MEMOS- A collection of letters from LDS missionaries from the Kaysville, Utah area.
Thursday, September 8, 2011
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
Elder Tyler Hartvigsen-- Sept. 6, 2011
Hello Everyone!!
so i didnt know last time i emailed you, but my p-day was moved to tuesday since monday was labor day, and our mission president wanted us to be out finding people. so yesterday my companion and i decided that we would spend the whole day tracting and trying to find people. we had plent of door's slammed in our faces, and alot of people were not very happy we were out on the holiday. towards the end of the day we were a bit discouraged cause we hadn't found anyone yet, and we have been praying to find someone that god has prepared for us to teach. but lo and behold later last night we were out on our bikes and this lady walked by who seemed really sad, so i talked to her for a while, and she told us that she needed a change, and invited to come over to teach her on wednesday. it was a really big answer to prayers. we also rode by a group of kids who were skateboarding, and they kinda were snickering at us, so i went over to talk to them and asked if i could try skating. i think they let me just cause they wanted to see me fall! haha but i dont think they expected me to school them while wearing my Penny Loafers!! they were impressed i guess cause we got their names and they said we could come by another time. it was pretty funny. im getting really used to mission life out here, my ZL's told me i seem to be adjusting better than most. im pretty excited about this new program we have called teaching in chapels, where we take investigators on tours of the church, the spirit is really strong when we do it. we are one of the first missions to test the program so we feel really blessed. they tested the program earlier in california and the mission saw more than a double increase on baptism's!! we have about 6 or 7 people on date for baptism right now. im really excited for it! Mom i did get your package from you and elizabeth, and THANK YOU!!! it helped so much! it was packaged fine and all the food was in tact! you can just send packages and letter's directly to the same address that you have been and you should be golden! the farm looks really great! im jealous.. i am having some serious shooting withdrawls!!! hahah just kidding. anyways im sorry if anyone was worried i didnt email yesterday, but i should be back to monday p-day's from now on! on love everyone and thank you so much for all the support! i hope everyone is enjoying school, and had a good labor day!
I love you!
-Elder Hartvigsen
so i didnt know last time i emailed you, but my p-day was moved to tuesday since monday was labor day, and our mission president wanted us to be out finding people. so yesterday my companion and i decided that we would spend the whole day tracting and trying to find people. we had plent of door's slammed in our faces, and alot of people were not very happy we were out on the holiday. towards the end of the day we were a bit discouraged cause we hadn't found anyone yet, and we have been praying to find someone that god has prepared for us to teach. but lo and behold later last night we were out on our bikes and this lady walked by who seemed really sad, so i talked to her for a while, and she told us that she needed a change, and invited to come over to teach her on wednesday. it was a really big answer to prayers. we also rode by a group of kids who were skateboarding, and they kinda were snickering at us, so i went over to talk to them and asked if i could try skating. i think they let me just cause they wanted to see me fall! haha but i dont think they expected me to school them while wearing my Penny Loafers!! they were impressed i guess cause we got their names and they said we could come by another time. it was pretty funny. im getting really used to mission life out here, my ZL's told me i seem to be adjusting better than most. im pretty excited about this new program we have called teaching in chapels, where we take investigators on tours of the church, the spirit is really strong when we do it. we are one of the first missions to test the program so we feel really blessed. they tested the program earlier in california and the mission saw more than a double increase on baptism's!! we have about 6 or 7 people on date for baptism right now. im really excited for it! Mom i did get your package from you and elizabeth, and THANK YOU!!! it helped so much! it was packaged fine and all the food was in tact! you can just send packages and letter's directly to the same address that you have been and you should be golden! the farm looks really great! im jealous.. i am having some serious shooting withdrawls!!! hahah just kidding. anyways im sorry if anyone was worried i didnt email yesterday, but i should be back to monday p-day's from now on! on love everyone and thank you so much for all the support! i hope everyone is enjoying school, and had a good labor day!
I love you!
-Elder Hartvigsen
Sister Alex Hartvigsen--Sept. 6, 2011
Dear Family, this last week has been really good. On Wednesday we were able to go over to an investigator's home with a member and talk to her about the visiting teaching message for August. We then had dinner with a family whose wife is less active and then went to a trailer part in our area and did some contacting with another member. We talked to a family who is less active and encouraged them to start reading the Book of Mormon again and invited them to come to church that Sunday. On Thursday we had a meeting with one of our investigators and we talked about how the gospel blesses families On Thursday night I was on shift at the Visitors Center when the ward council of one of the English wards I worked in for 4.5 months came in for a tour. After their tour I asked the relief society president about a girl that we had found and taught while we were in the area. She told me that the girl was being baptized on Saturday 3. I was so excited to hear that. I was able to attend the baptism because I was the chorister for the program. It was really cool to be there. The girl was really excited and the Spirit was very strong. On Saturday we met with a less active member and talked about the importance of family prayer to unify families. We were also able to teach a new investigator family. This family has been prepared. They have studied with the missionaries a little before and have been meeting with the Jehovah's witnesses but they don't agree with their doctrines. We taught them about the Restoration of the Gospel. They want to learn more about Joseph Smith and we have an appointment to meet with them at the Visitor's Center this Saturday to watch the Joseph Smith Movie. Yesterday we met with a women and taught her about how the Book of Mormon answers the questions of the soul like what is the purpose of this life? We went over to the home of some members in our area and asked them if we can practice teaching them the lessons. We were able to go to the temple today and that was really nice. I am grateful that we have a temple so close. I am glad that I get to spend at least part of every day on temple grounds because of the visitor's center.
They are going to be starting something really cool in less than a month in Arizona. The Church is doing a huge media blitz of Mormon.org. They are going to be running 30 second commercials on the five main television channels for the next several months as well as having billboards and signs on buses for I'm a Mormon. They did this a little while ago in New York City and they had a ton of success. The Purpose of this push is to dispel myths about the church, introduce people to the Gospel and make it easier for members to introduce their friends to the Gospel. I don't know if any of you have had a chance to go check out the website or make a profile on it but it is really cool.
I love you all and hope you have a great week.
Love Hermana Hartvigsen
Jess- Thank you for the letter. Norway sounds like it was a lot of fun. Have a great week.
They are going to be starting something really cool in less than a month in Arizona. The Church is doing a huge media blitz of Mormon.org. They are going to be running 30 second commercials on the five main television channels for the next several months as well as having billboards and signs on buses for I'm a Mormon. They did this a little while ago in New York City and they had a ton of success. The Purpose of this push is to dispel myths about the church, introduce people to the Gospel and make it easier for members to introduce their friends to the Gospel. I don't know if any of you have had a chance to go check out the website or make a profile on it but it is really cool.
I love you all and hope you have a great week.
Love Hermana Hartvigsen
Jess- Thank you for the letter. Norway sounds like it was a lot of fun. Have a great week.
Elder Corbin Moore-- Sept. 1, 2011
Well I have officially been in the MTC for a week now, its so crazy how fast time can go when your mind is on the lord work. I have had the opportunity to see Elder Avery a couple times, and Elder Whittle and Elder Terry came and visited me for a little bit. It was so nice to see some familiar faces and get to talk with them for a little bit, they seem to be doing well and are actively engaged in the lords work. I haven't really been able to play soccer while I've been here at the MTC, which is kinda a bummer, no one in my district really likes soccer so we mostly just go to the gimnasio to play volleyball, basketball, or foursquare. Maybe one of these days ill be able to go up to the field and play some futbol. Well we have been teaching this one investigator, about our church and how he could pray. I commited him to leer el libro de mormon( to read the book of mormon) and and pray about it. He said that he would do so, and so where were going to check up on him in our next visit, but last night we found out that we would no longer be teaching that particular investigator. We will be getting two new investigators next week, and teach them el evangelio( the gospel). So i was kinda bummed out, that i wasn't able to talk to Oscar anymore. Well the good thing is there is always someone to teach. I can't really say that ive adjusted well to sleeping here in the MTC. Its so weird, waking up and not seeing my own room. I have to think about where I could possibly be, then I realize that I'm in the MTC. Funny stuff. Well im becoming more familiar with the language since i started her at the MTC. Del don del languas is such a powerful tool, who would have ever thought that I would be able to speak Español to an investigator, within the first week of my mission. Nothing is impossible for two people, if one of those people is the lord. I honestly believe that to be true. My district is full of good missionaries. Out of the 11 of us. Six of us are going to Los Angeles, four elders and two sisters. The rest are going to, Canada, Washington D.C, Peru. and the Mesa Arizona visitors center. So we are all staying in the americas. Well my time is almost up. I will be seeing you guys in one year and 71 weeks, but who´s counting right. Well I love you all, and hope to hear from you guys. Bernie good luck with the football, stick with it and who knows where you could end up in the future. Benien, good luck with the whole high school experience, just make the best of it. Its the best three years to just kick back and have as much fun as possible, while still getting all your work done. Education is key. WOW i cant believe i almost forgot the best thing that has happened this week. Every martes(tuesday) we have a dovational, they haven´t had an apostle come for like three months. So the very first week that im here guess what happens an apostle speaks. It was one of my favorites, Elder Jeffrey R. Holland. What an amazing speaker he is. He is so powerful with the way that he talks. He talked about our image as missionaries, and had some pretty, demanding things to say about it. So amazing. Its so great when your have the opportunity to be in the same room as an apostle, the spirit is so strong. Well time is up, until next time.
Amor Elder Moore
Everything.Happens.For.A.Reason
Amor Elder Moore
Everything.Happens.For.A.Reason
Elder Corbin Moore-- Aug 27, 2011
Well this is my first letter from the MTC. The past few days have been so crazy here. So after i got all my stuff into my room on the first day it was off to class. I walked in and my teacher was only speaking in Spanish, which was very hard because I didn't know any spanish to save my life. So I sat there the first day wondering about, what he could possibly be talking about. It was kinda discouraging, but I'm determined to pick it up as so as possible. My compañero es Elder Boyd, he is from Missouri, and full of so much energy. He took two years of Español in high school, which really helps with trying to learn Español. Well it was my third day in the MTC yesterday and they already had us teach investigators in Español. I can barely tell people about the gospel in English, and they want mi to do it in Español. Its crazy how the spirit just kinda steps in and brings stuff back to your mind. El don de languas( the gift of tounges) is an amazing blessing to have. So yeah we tried to teach our investigator, Oscar. I cant say yo (i) said a lot but yo was able to teach him a little bit, and yo beared my testimonio, and said the closing oración (prayer). But yo did it all en Español. So yeah it was way crazy. I can´t even begin to express how much mi testimonio has grown just by being here a couple days. The gospel is so amazing, and just thinking about teaching familias about it. Im sure you´ve all realized that im speaking in Spanglish. But im supposed to be using as much Español as possible. Well there really isn´t alot mas to say for this week, so until next week. Id love to hear from everyone.
Amor Elder Moore
Everything.Happens.For.A.Reason
Catch.You.On.The.Flip.Side
Amor Elder Moore
Everything.Happens.For.A.Reason
Catch.You.On.The.Flip.Side
Monday, September 5, 2011
Elder Matthew Whittle-- September 5, 2011
body
La Idioma es mui bien. Yo se que el don de langua es verdadero. Elder Terry and I went and visited Elder Moore last night in his residence, And tonight Elder Avery, Moore, and I are going to say our goodbyes to Elder Terry. Weeks seem like days here, and days seem like weeks. We don't get to go to the temple today because of labor day, so that's kind of a bummer. Elder Moore has a completely different schedule and he's not in the same zone, but I still get to see him here and there. I got your package. Thank you so much. That made my day! Could you send my narsty silk pearl snap. I would like to have that one. I love hearing from you mom. I miss you a lot, and you could never write me too much. I'm sorry you started crying at Khols. I miss going shopping with you too. Those were some great times. I'm glad things are going well back at home. An english preach my gospel might be nice, but I don't have to have one. I'm sure eventually I'll mostly just be using the one en Espanol. So its your call. Elder Terry has been having a rough time with his district so he's glad to be getting out of here. It makes me mad too because the missionaries in his district who have been being very disobedient are going to Carlsbad. It makes me mad that they're not preparing themselves for the people that I already care so much about. I got to see Elder Holland speak last tuesday. It was incredible. He spoke with so much power, and the spirit was so strong. It's amazing how much we are able to feel the spirit here. I love it. My companion is incredible, as well as my district. We obey all the rules, and feel the spirit a lot in our district meetings. I can't believe I'm already almost on week four. We stay so busy teaching two investigators that time goes very quickly. Thanks for being the best mother in the world. I love you. yo se que La Iglesia de JesuCristo es el solo verdadero la iglesia en la tierra. JesuCristo amas todos las personas. Yo se que JesuCristo es mi el Salvador, y ustedes. Tell the family I love them all. Please tell all my friends that I'm praying for them, I love them, and that a mission is the most amazing thing they will get to experience this time of their life.
Love Elder Whittle
La Idioma es mui bien. Yo se que el don de langua es verdadero. Elder Terry and I went and visited Elder Moore last night in his residence, And tonight Elder Avery, Moore, and I are going to say our goodbyes to Elder Terry. Weeks seem like days here, and days seem like weeks. We don't get to go to the temple today because of labor day, so that's kind of a bummer. Elder Moore has a completely different schedule and he's not in the same zone, but I still get to see him here and there. I got your package. Thank you so much. That made my day! Could you send my narsty silk pearl snap. I would like to have that one. I love hearing from you mom. I miss you a lot, and you could never write me too much. I'm sorry you started crying at Khols. I miss going shopping with you too. Those were some great times. I'm glad things are going well back at home. An english preach my gospel might be nice, but I don't have to have one. I'm sure eventually I'll mostly just be using the one en Espanol. So its your call. Elder Terry has been having a rough time with his district so he's glad to be getting out of here. It makes me mad too because the missionaries in his district who have been being very disobedient are going to Carlsbad. It makes me mad that they're not preparing themselves for the people that I already care so much about. I got to see Elder Holland speak last tuesday. It was incredible. He spoke with so much power, and the spirit was so strong. It's amazing how much we are able to feel the spirit here. I love it. My companion is incredible, as well as my district. We obey all the rules, and feel the spirit a lot in our district meetings. I can't believe I'm already almost on week four. We stay so busy teaching two investigators that time goes very quickly. Thanks for being the best mother in the world. I love you. yo se que La Iglesia de JesuCristo es el solo verdadero la iglesia en la tierra. JesuCristo amas todos las personas. Yo se que JesuCristo es mi el Salvador, y ustedes. Tell the family I love them all. Please tell all my friends that I'm praying for them, I love them, and that a mission is the most amazing thing they will get to experience this time of their life.
Love Elder Whittle
Elder Terry-- September 5, 2011
Josh is doing great! He leaves for Minnesota bright and early tomorrow morning. Here's today's letter....written like a giant text! Enjoy!
Hello everyone!
Wow i cant believe that i have already been here another week. time really does go by so fast. except for sundays. thats when i think about the family and close friends the most for some reason. all is going well though! for the most part anyway. I never imagined that my job as district leader would be so hard at the mtc. sadly if i could describe my experience here for the most part would be babysitting. Dad you told me that my biggest dissapointment while being a missionary would be to see those who dont care about the work and are wasting the lords time. i feel like there are a lot of kids in my district that are like that. Ive caught kids with cell phones, stealing, not only stealing but stealing the book of mormon, and doing other things that i dont want to mention but i am just really disappointed in some of the people that come out here and are representing our savior. make sure that all of you who are going out soon dont ever do that! Elder Holland came and spoke to everyone on Tuesday. that was one of the most powerful talks. I knew it was for the kids in my district. His main point was that we dont have the right to disgrace the image of a missionary! Perfect topic for a bunch of punk kids that need to shape up. However i have loved my experience here and my testimony has grown so much! im just excited to get out into the mission field and get started in this work.
it was interesting to me as i was reading the first verse of 1 nephi chapter 1. it says having suffered much Afflictions. the footnote for afflictions is blessings. i thought about that for a minute and it is so true. i know that when we go through the hard times it will just make us stronger and God will bless us for it. thank you everyone for all the letters! it is so nice to here from you out here. And thank you mom, The whittles, and the einfeldts for the packages! so nice of you. This past week everyone is getting pretty sick. my comp. and i got pretty sick a few days ago, personally i think it is from the food here. nothing compared to moms cookin! i sure miss that already. yesterday during our devotional the opening song was two sisters singing 'his hands' that one that mckell and mindy sang. it made me miss jake so much! how is he doing in Argentina? keep me updated. let me know about the ties too. last night i went and hung out with elder whittle and elder moore in his apartment for a little while. it was so nice to get back with the group again. sad that i will be leaving them tomorrow morning but so exciting as well!! Sorry that my letters here are pretty boring. everyday blends together because we are going to class and learning all day. just know that i am loving it. there was a quote i really liked i heard yesterday 'equally as important as what you do to get the spirit, is what you do not to lose it.' that applied very well with our district. Nate make sure you can be the best missionary you can be, never slack off and disrespect the work! i know you wont though, your a stud. sad news, the temple is closed for my last P-day. i wanted to go one more time! hopefully i can go in St. Paul. mom, before i forget i leave at 5 am from here so expect a call between 6 and 8am. i have no idea when it will be. but i am going to go by a calling card today. Cant wait to hear from you! and happy birthday to nate tomorrow! i wish you could come out to minnesota and join me. thank you mckenna and momma sherri for the quick email :) i will be sure to get you my address when i get it!! for the rest of the family i hope you are having a tun of fun out in Park City! miss ya. We will have to go up there again when i get back. mom, i saw that you said you took out all the personal stuff. i decided i realy dont care if people read anything. its ok. haha but thank you! Dad, thats sad about not being able to go up to northern MN in virginia. hopefully they will re-open that before i leave so i will have the chance. when we go back on our trip we should do splits with the missionaries up there. that would be awesome i think. nate, nicki, natalie, lane. i will hopefully get a letter to you off today. but i have to pack up completely so if i cant i will in MN! however i have the next 10 hours to do nothing so i hopefully will be able to find time. one more quote ' when obedience ceases to be an irritant and becomes our quest, in that moment God will endow us with power.' i love that. anyways time is out. I love you all so much. Family i look forward to the call tomorrow!!!
Hello everyone!
Wow i cant believe that i have already been here another week. time really does go by so fast. except for sundays. thats when i think about the family and close friends the most for some reason. all is going well though! for the most part anyway. I never imagined that my job as district leader would be so hard at the mtc. sadly if i could describe my experience here for the most part would be babysitting. Dad you told me that my biggest dissapointment while being a missionary would be to see those who dont care about the work and are wasting the lords time. i feel like there are a lot of kids in my district that are like that. Ive caught kids with cell phones, stealing, not only stealing but stealing the book of mormon, and doing other things that i dont want to mention but i am just really disappointed in some of the people that come out here and are representing our savior. make sure that all of you who are going out soon dont ever do that! Elder Holland came and spoke to everyone on Tuesday. that was one of the most powerful talks. I knew it was for the kids in my district. His main point was that we dont have the right to disgrace the image of a missionary! Perfect topic for a bunch of punk kids that need to shape up. However i have loved my experience here and my testimony has grown so much! im just excited to get out into the mission field and get started in this work.
it was interesting to me as i was reading the first verse of 1 nephi chapter 1. it says having suffered much Afflictions. the footnote for afflictions is blessings. i thought about that for a minute and it is so true. i know that when we go through the hard times it will just make us stronger and God will bless us for it. thank you everyone for all the letters! it is so nice to here from you out here. And thank you mom, The whittles, and the einfeldts for the packages! so nice of you. This past week everyone is getting pretty sick. my comp. and i got pretty sick a few days ago, personally i think it is from the food here. nothing compared to moms cookin! i sure miss that already. yesterday during our devotional the opening song was two sisters singing 'his hands' that one that mckell and mindy sang. it made me miss jake so much! how is he doing in Argentina? keep me updated. let me know about the ties too. last night i went and hung out with elder whittle and elder moore in his apartment for a little while. it was so nice to get back with the group again. sad that i will be leaving them tomorrow morning but so exciting as well!! Sorry that my letters here are pretty boring. everyday blends together because we are going to class and learning all day. just know that i am loving it. there was a quote i really liked i heard yesterday 'equally as important as what you do to get the spirit, is what you do not to lose it.' that applied very well with our district. Nate make sure you can be the best missionary you can be, never slack off and disrespect the work! i know you wont though, your a stud. sad news, the temple is closed for my last P-day. i wanted to go one more time! hopefully i can go in St. Paul. mom, before i forget i leave at 5 am from here so expect a call between 6 and 8am. i have no idea when it will be. but i am going to go by a calling card today. Cant wait to hear from you! and happy birthday to nate tomorrow! i wish you could come out to minnesota and join me. thank you mckenna and momma sherri for the quick email :) i will be sure to get you my address when i get it!! for the rest of the family i hope you are having a tun of fun out in Park City! miss ya. We will have to go up there again when i get back. mom, i saw that you said you took out all the personal stuff. i decided i realy dont care if people read anything. its ok. haha but thank you! Dad, thats sad about not being able to go up to northern MN in virginia. hopefully they will re-open that before i leave so i will have the chance. when we go back on our trip we should do splits with the missionaries up there. that would be awesome i think. nate, nicki, natalie, lane. i will hopefully get a letter to you off today. but i have to pack up completely so if i cant i will in MN! however i have the next 10 hours to do nothing so i hopefully will be able to find time. one more quote ' when obedience ceases to be an irritant and becomes our quest, in that moment God will endow us with power.' i love that. anyways time is out. I love you all so much. Family i look forward to the call tomorrow!!!
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