Hey Fam,
Well the end is drawing near and I must say I'm getting so anxious! I'm so ready to be in Croatia and start learning the language for reals. I'm so sick of this nasty food and these teachers and all these crusty missionaries. I mean I love this place and it has taught me more than I could have learned on my own but I am so done. However I am going to miss Westie. He has been such a great comp and I'm kinda scared of what my trainer will be like.
We only have one more of those TRC things and that's exciting cause I don't really like those. We have been practicing the second lesson and it's really hard. So I asked my teacher how many times he taught the second lesson in his mission and he said less than 10. No worries I am going to do better than that. Anyway last TRC and I won't miss those. I kinda don't like it because the people in the TRC know what your supposed to be saying and so basically it's all scripted and if you "miss" something they consider it "messing up". I don't like that because I believe it prevents from teaching by the Spirit. You just say your memorized lines and your done. Ya I just don't like it. But it does help with the language.
So yes I do have my travel plans!!!!!! Most exciting day in the MTC yet. My teacher said getting travel plans is the worst thing that can happen to a missionary in the MTC lol. He was right. it made me lose focus and we got them right before TRC so that didn't help me focus at all lol. But anyway I'll give you all the details cause I know Lance will want them. So February 28 we leave the MTC at 1:30 for the SLC airport. We take Delta straight to Paris. We fly into the Chas De Gaulle airport. The flight from SLC leaves at 4:50 PM and we are scheduled to land in Paris at 11:25 AM of March 1st. Then from Paris we fly to Ljubljana, Slovenia. That flight is scheduled to leave at 1:20 and land at 3:05. I'm so excited!! I will probably call from the SLC airport before I leave so be ready anytime before probably 4. Then maybe again from Paris just for fun. However it takes a while for the mission president to let y'all know I arrived safe so try not to worry to much.
The language is sinking in pretty good but I know my happiness could become a little tainted once I get there. My main goal is to be positive and know I can do this. I am getting pretty good at the concepts but I need to expand my vocabulary.
One thing that I know is so important is to know that there are plenty of people to teach I just need to work hard and find them. I'm so sick of people telling me this is a "seed planting" mission. That is the biggest load of crap ever. The Lord wouldn't send missionaries there to waste time. The scriptures tell us "the field is white all ready to harvest" not the field is brown already to plant. So ya I get a little worked up when people tell me the outcome of my mission and they haven't even been there! And no they did not JUST get out of communism and no they probably won't "revive our message warmly". I have heard that a couple times here and it's so dumb. Shoot!! K I'm pert near done.
I met a lady the other day whose grandson is in Croatia right now and he is having a baptism the day before we leave. He is also teaching 7 others. For all you haters see above paragraph :). She said he is just so positive. So I'm going to be like him and go out with a "why not" attitude. Why can't I teach? Why can't I baptize? Cause I can and I will. I'm snatchin people up and I'm gunna teach and I gunna baptize! So run and tell that homeboi! K I'm done for reals now.
So Westie and I went and did a session this morning with a bunch of people from the zone. It was awesome. It was the last time any of us will get to go to the temple for two years. Before hand Westie and I promised each other that we wouldn't rush each other in the Celestial room cause it would be our last time. So instantly when I walked in I started crying. Not for any reason in particular other than I was so grateful for the blessing and power of temple work. So I looked pathetic walking out but I don't let the haters get at me.
So only 6 more days of this place. I love you all and I'm sorry that I'm not replying to any of the questions that may have been written in a DearElder. With the holiday and no mail on Saturday night I don't get any of your DearElder till tonight. Anyhow love you all and hope you have a great week.
P.S. One of the kids I talk to alot here is Elder Basha and his grandpa is the owner of BASHAS grocery store in AZ.
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Week 7
Hey Everyone!
Well the weeks keep going on and there isn't really anything exciting.
We taught in the language again. The first lesson isn't to bad because it is what we have been talking about for the whole time so far. But now we are doing the second lesson in the language and I have no idea what to say. The first lesson is like the restoration and stuff and the second lesson is the plan of salvation. I don't hardly know how to teach this lesson in English. Our teachers have become really frustrated by our weekly planning so they came in on Saturday and did some of it with us. They took the liberty of making us each teach them one on one for 15 mins every shift. So I did it once and it was to the idiot teacher who thinks he knows everything and he just laughed at me and made feel dumb. So I pretty much just ignore that teacher now days. Well I did it again last night and as I started to go, one of my other teachers stopped me and asks what I have written on my notes. I told it was just a lesson plan and some words that I was struggling to remember. Then he proceeded to tell me I didn't need that and took it away. Um what... this not ok! So I start to go and it was terrible. But it was AWESOME! I spoke.... like Croatian! A different language! I sounded like crap and I forgot lots of grammar rules but I spoke! I communicated in Croatian. It was a great experience. It is times like then that let me know I can do this. So that was way cool.
The MTC food is killing me! I can't hardly eat anymore. It is so old. I mean the food isn't old it's just the same thing over and over. So eating an omelet at the temple was amazing. Probably not as good as you though Dad.
So I had a way cool experience this week in the gym. I was just killing it at volleyball like I always do then they came over the speakers and said gym time was over. So as I was walking over to get my name tag and watch I see this guy with a huge camera. Like a big tv camera. So instantly I perk up and start talking louder, you know as to draw attention to myself. Then I see Carol Makita from KSL and now I'm really excited. I was talking to a sister missionary and told her that was the lady from KSL. So because she is as surprised as I am she takes a big gasp and says OH MY GOSH! So Carol sees what is going on and went and introduced herself. Of course I'm hangin behind to see what this is all about cause I need me some tv time. So carol asks Sister McAdams if she and her companions would be willing to do an interview. Of course she says yes but Carol continues and says that she also needs some Elders. McAdams yells for me cause I basically set this deal up by pointing her out and faster than she can say my name I'm there all bright and smiley. Carol introduces herself and asks if my companion and I would mind if she interviewed us about the gym. Well Westie is backin away cause he's a little shy so I grab another Elder. well shoot dang here I am in my gym clothes lookin like crap and KSL wants to ask me a few questions. So she interviews the sisters then us. She asks me and the other Elder how we like the gym, how it works, what we do here, and why we appreciate it. Well I would tell you what I said but you can just watch it on tv cause it's going to be on in-between conference sessions! I asked her if I could tell my family to watch for me and she said definitely. So I'm not sure in-between which sessions but they are doing a segment on the MTC and how it's run. So basically I'm famous.... just saying.
While we were eating breakfast at the temple this morning a lady asked if she could sit with us. We said of course. So we all introduced ourselves and we all got to talking. She has been back from her mission for about 6 months. She served in Texas. We got to talking about ties somehow and she told us that down there the elders could go to the port and by 1000 POUNDS of ties!!! That turned out to be about 8000 TIES!!! All for a measly 20 bucks! They said they were nice too and the "crappy" brand was Tommy Hilfiger.... Ya ok.... She said she was going home to California this weekend and had a box of ties, so I convinced her to bring them back for me :). As Westie would say OH DA! Da meaning yes in Croatian.
Well I think that is about it for this weeks excitement. I love you all!
Well the weeks keep going on and there isn't really anything exciting.
We taught in the language again. The first lesson isn't to bad because it is what we have been talking about for the whole time so far. But now we are doing the second lesson in the language and I have no idea what to say. The first lesson is like the restoration and stuff and the second lesson is the plan of salvation. I don't hardly know how to teach this lesson in English. Our teachers have become really frustrated by our weekly planning so they came in on Saturday and did some of it with us. They took the liberty of making us each teach them one on one for 15 mins every shift. So I did it once and it was to the idiot teacher who thinks he knows everything and he just laughed at me and made feel dumb. So I pretty much just ignore that teacher now days. Well I did it again last night and as I started to go, one of my other teachers stopped me and asks what I have written on my notes. I told it was just a lesson plan and some words that I was struggling to remember. Then he proceeded to tell me I didn't need that and took it away. Um what... this not ok! So I start to go and it was terrible. But it was AWESOME! I spoke.... like Croatian! A different language! I sounded like crap and I forgot lots of grammar rules but I spoke! I communicated in Croatian. It was a great experience. It is times like then that let me know I can do this. So that was way cool.
The MTC food is killing me! I can't hardly eat anymore. It is so old. I mean the food isn't old it's just the same thing over and over. So eating an omelet at the temple was amazing. Probably not as good as you though Dad.
So I had a way cool experience this week in the gym. I was just killing it at volleyball like I always do then they came over the speakers and said gym time was over. So as I was walking over to get my name tag and watch I see this guy with a huge camera. Like a big tv camera. So instantly I perk up and start talking louder, you know as to draw attention to myself. Then I see Carol Makita from KSL and now I'm really excited. I was talking to a sister missionary and told her that was the lady from KSL. So because she is as surprised as I am she takes a big gasp and says OH MY GOSH! So Carol sees what is going on and went and introduced herself. Of course I'm hangin behind to see what this is all about cause I need me some tv time. So carol asks Sister McAdams if she and her companions would be willing to do an interview. Of course she says yes but Carol continues and says that she also needs some Elders. McAdams yells for me cause I basically set this deal up by pointing her out and faster than she can say my name I'm there all bright and smiley. Carol introduces herself and asks if my companion and I would mind if she interviewed us about the gym. Well Westie is backin away cause he's a little shy so I grab another Elder. well shoot dang here I am in my gym clothes lookin like crap and KSL wants to ask me a few questions. So she interviews the sisters then us. She asks me and the other Elder how we like the gym, how it works, what we do here, and why we appreciate it. Well I would tell you what I said but you can just watch it on tv cause it's going to be on in-between conference sessions! I asked her if I could tell my family to watch for me and she said definitely. So I'm not sure in-between which sessions but they are doing a segment on the MTC and how it's run. So basically I'm famous.... just saying.
While we were eating breakfast at the temple this morning a lady asked if she could sit with us. We said of course. So we all introduced ourselves and we all got to talking. She has been back from her mission for about 6 months. She served in Texas. We got to talking about ties somehow and she told us that down there the elders could go to the port and by 1000 POUNDS of ties!!! That turned out to be about 8000 TIES!!! All for a measly 20 bucks! They said they were nice too and the "crappy" brand was Tommy Hilfiger.... Ya ok.... She said she was going home to California this weekend and had a box of ties, so I convinced her to bring them back for me :). As Westie would say OH DA! Da meaning yes in Croatian.
Well I think that is about it for this weeks excitement. I love you all!
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
Week 6
Howdy y'all
This week went by so fast! I just give myself something to look forward to everyday and it makes it pass so much faster. So this is basically how it goes, the week ends on Tuesdays. I mean let's get real it like Saturday. So all week being mindful of how many days left till Tuesday we plan all the other days. Wednesday is the day before TRC and so it's cram day. Also, on Wednesday we have LGM, which is just a big meeting with a couple zones and we learn about things from Preach My Gospel. So any day that we have a meeting or something that gives us a break from the classroom it's good. Then Thursday is TRC so all day before then (because it's at night) we are prepping for that. Then it comes and we get tow up. Then Friday is the day before Saturday and gym is in the middle of the day so that gives us something to look forward too. Then Saturday is hard because gym is first thing in the morning then we just have class the rest of the day. HOWEVER, we don't have a teacher at all on Saturday night. So from 5:15 - 9:00 we study on our own. That is nice because you don't have a teacher breathing down your neck all the time. So that is usually when I study language concepts that I'm struggling with and catch up on my Book of Mormon reading. Now look at that were half way back to P-Day!! So Sunday is nice because there is lots of personal study time. Then we get to go on our temple walks and take a nap! Then a nice devotional and movie to end the night! Now were at P-Day eve! This day is hard because gym is in the morning and then we have the two later blocks with no breaks. We do get to have FHE with another class and that is fun. Then look were back another P-Day! So I knew you were just dying to know that and I was dying to tell you ;)
So this week we taught all in Croatian... What a joke. It actually wasn't to bad it just sounds like we are talking to a 3 year old. But the volunteers do a good job at making us feel good about ourselves. The good thing about learning a new language is that it forces you to teach simply, just the way the gospel should be taught. But funny story... while we were in the TRC we were references a scripture in the bible and we used a bible that we were not familiar with (not a good idea) and as Elder West opened up the very first page and could tell this was way different. So he just says, "oh ne!" ne means no so by saying oh ne he sounded so American and very funny. The volunteers and I starred laughing and was hilarious! It definitely lightened the mood which helped us to be more comfortable. Then later on both the volunteers started laughing and West and I felt so left out. So in English I asked if I said something wrong. The one volunteer tells the other to stop laughing that we are new missionaries and it's not funny. I'm freaking out at thus pointing thinking I had taught false doctrine or dammed their souls or something. Turns out one if the ladies ripped her pants and we all a good laugh. Our teacher afterward, who listens outside the door also told us we called the people garbage. And that is why we had the great apostasy :)
The work is going great. I love it so much. As I come to realize how dependent I am the the Lord, but that only according to my works can he bless it gives me the motivation I need to keep going. I love you all and thank you so much for everything!
This week went by so fast! I just give myself something to look forward to everyday and it makes it pass so much faster. So this is basically how it goes, the week ends on Tuesdays. I mean let's get real it like Saturday. So all week being mindful of how many days left till Tuesday we plan all the other days. Wednesday is the day before TRC and so it's cram day. Also, on Wednesday we have LGM, which is just a big meeting with a couple zones and we learn about things from Preach My Gospel. So any day that we have a meeting or something that gives us a break from the classroom it's good. Then Thursday is TRC so all day before then (because it's at night) we are prepping for that. Then it comes and we get tow up. Then Friday is the day before Saturday and gym is in the middle of the day so that gives us something to look forward too. Then Saturday is hard because gym is first thing in the morning then we just have class the rest of the day. HOWEVER, we don't have a teacher at all on Saturday night. So from 5:15 - 9:00 we study on our own. That is nice because you don't have a teacher breathing down your neck all the time. So that is usually when I study language concepts that I'm struggling with and catch up on my Book of Mormon reading. Now look at that were half way back to P-Day!! So Sunday is nice because there is lots of personal study time. Then we get to go on our temple walks and take a nap! Then a nice devotional and movie to end the night! Now were at P-Day eve! This day is hard because gym is in the morning and then we have the two later blocks with no breaks. We do get to have FHE with another class and that is fun. Then look were back another P-Day! So I knew you were just dying to know that and I was dying to tell you ;)
So this week we taught all in Croatian... What a joke. It actually wasn't to bad it just sounds like we are talking to a 3 year old. But the volunteers do a good job at making us feel good about ourselves. The good thing about learning a new language is that it forces you to teach simply, just the way the gospel should be taught. But funny story... while we were in the TRC we were references a scripture in the bible and we used a bible that we were not familiar with (not a good idea) and as Elder West opened up the very first page and could tell this was way different. So he just says, "oh ne!" ne means no so by saying oh ne he sounded so American and very funny. The volunteers and I starred laughing and was hilarious! It definitely lightened the mood which helped us to be more comfortable. Then later on both the volunteers started laughing and West and I felt so left out. So in English I asked if I said something wrong. The one volunteer tells the other to stop laughing that we are new missionaries and it's not funny. I'm freaking out at thus pointing thinking I had taught false doctrine or dammed their souls or something. Turns out one if the ladies ripped her pants and we all a good laugh. Our teacher afterward, who listens outside the door also told us we called the people garbage. And that is why we had the great apostasy :)
The work is going great. I love it so much. As I come to realize how dependent I am the the Lord, but that only according to my works can he bless it gives me the motivation I need to keep going. I love you all and thank you so much for everything!
Thursday, February 3, 2011
Week 5
Bok obitelj!
Hey everyone!! How are you all? I'm doing good. It has been a great week at the MTC! The days just all blur together.
TRC from last week was amazing. There is a teaching record that we read as well as does the fake investigator. This time the investigator has committed to be baptized by had a problem with the word of wisdom. So as we were teaching it was hard for me to explain this and why it's important. This seems to be the case with lots of basic gospel principles. Thing like the word of wisdom are things that I have just grown io with and so it's hard to relate to people hat have done it their whole lives. But we were instruments in the Lord's hand and he helped us. As we read our comments on there that they said were good that I don't even remember say. I believe that the spirit was speaking through me and this "investigator" was brought closer to Christ because if us. So first really good TRC. That was encouraging especially since we have to teach this Thursday in ALL Croatian!
So West and I did initiatory's this morning and that was good. He got sick this morning so we wanted to do something quick so he could come home and rest. He slept till like 2. So while I was asleep I polished our shoes did our laundry got us lunch and ironed our shirts. He doesn't like to do any of those things anyhow so it made it easy for him not to feel bad cause he was asleep lol. I gave him medicine and put him to bed just like he was my child.
The ambassador visit was way cool! He was such a nice guy! He is a member of the Church of Christ. He told us about when he was over there during the war and actually got a little emotional. He was a really nice guy and told us our accents were better than his already. He continued to tell us we are more driven that any student he has seen at Cedan Hall in New Jersey, where he is a dean. We got a picture with him and he said if we are in NJ to show him that picture and he will take us to lunch.
I got the package today!! Thank you so much! The cookie bars were a little squished but they are still just as amazing! Thank you so much for putting everything together!!
This week has been so much better for learning the language. It amazes me how the Lord answers prayers! We have been practicing teaching different parts of the first lesson in the language and I just am feelin real good about it. I feel the presence of the Lord in my life daily and thank him continually!
Thank you all so much for everything! I love you all!
Hey everyone!! How are you all? I'm doing good. It has been a great week at the MTC! The days just all blur together.
TRC from last week was amazing. There is a teaching record that we read as well as does the fake investigator. This time the investigator has committed to be baptized by had a problem with the word of wisdom. So as we were teaching it was hard for me to explain this and why it's important. This seems to be the case with lots of basic gospel principles. Thing like the word of wisdom are things that I have just grown io with and so it's hard to relate to people hat have done it their whole lives. But we were instruments in the Lord's hand and he helped us. As we read our comments on there that they said were good that I don't even remember say. I believe that the spirit was speaking through me and this "investigator" was brought closer to Christ because if us. So first really good TRC. That was encouraging especially since we have to teach this Thursday in ALL Croatian!
So West and I did initiatory's this morning and that was good. He got sick this morning so we wanted to do something quick so he could come home and rest. He slept till like 2. So while I was asleep I polished our shoes did our laundry got us lunch and ironed our shirts. He doesn't like to do any of those things anyhow so it made it easy for him not to feel bad cause he was asleep lol. I gave him medicine and put him to bed just like he was my child.
The ambassador visit was way cool! He was such a nice guy! He is a member of the Church of Christ. He told us about when he was over there during the war and actually got a little emotional. He was a really nice guy and told us our accents were better than his already. He continued to tell us we are more driven that any student he has seen at Cedan Hall in New Jersey, where he is a dean. We got a picture with him and he said if we are in NJ to show him that picture and he will take us to lunch.
I got the package today!! Thank you so much! The cookie bars were a little squished but they are still just as amazing! Thank you so much for putting everything together!!
This week has been so much better for learning the language. It amazes me how the Lord answers prayers! We have been practicing teaching different parts of the first lesson in the language and I just am feelin real good about it. I feel the presence of the Lord in my life daily and thank him continually!
Thank you all so much for everything! I love you all!
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