Hey everyone! Another week gone by. Man the MTC is going to go so fast.
PE is really fun. I don't remember everything I've told you in past letters, but I either play soccer (usually only on Saturday since the other PE times are in the early morning or at night), four square (man that game is intense) or I do the weight lifting machines/ running.
It's great to be here. I really like my teachers a lot. They are so knowledgeable about the gospel and also great at Spanish. We haven't done a ton of SYL (speak your language), but I think that is changing – especially since after four weeks, everything we do will be in Spanish. Spanish is coming just fine. It is frustrating and hard of course, but I know I'm making progress.
Anyway thanks everyone for all your love and support! Life is crazy, but THE GOSPEL IS TRUE so all is well. We watched Legacy on Sunday. I forget what I've told you and what I've told my journal. It gets confusing. Okay, well have a good week.
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
10/21/2008 Letter
We received a letter in the mail on Friday. Here are some excerpts:
Today is my first preparation day, hurray! Ah, life is good. The Church is true!! I'm starting to get used to the schedule of being a missionary. My companion is awesome. I'm so glad I have an obedient companero. We finally got two more elders in the room with us and they don't follow all the rules as closely as my companion and I. We are like early to all our meetings, working hard together, and praying together so I'm happy. Sometimes it's hard to love him, but when I do it's awesome so I'm trying to focus on his strengths. He has like 8 siblings (2 older) and lives near Chicago. ... He loves to play soccer and work out. ... Anyway, he has a strong testimony and is learning fast -- so it's a challenge to keep up. Elder Peterson is going to Vancaqua, Chile.
The elders that moved in our room are now in our district (they moved up from beginning Spanish) and one sister from our district moved up to advanced but we also had one move in from beginning so anyways we have 11 in our disctrict now -- we're pretty much family. The guys are cool -- and there are like 8 different missions -- 3 in Chile, 1 in Nicaragua, 2 in Honduras, Anaheim, and Guatemala. I still haven't met anyone going to Anaheim, but I heard a prayer in one of our big meetings by someone going there.
Spanish is coming along slowly but surely. So far we've learned to pray in Spanish, bear our testimony, say some greetings, etc. We've also been working on Lesson 1 in PMG. We made an outline and then taught it for the first time yesterday.
My 3 teachers are great. Hermana Alleto comes every day, and Hermano Lindahl and Tuttle come every other day (no class on Tuesdays). They have great personalities, Spanish skills, and testimonies. We had a ton of meetings (extra) this last week since we're new but now are in a good schedule and things are looking awesome for the next couple weeks.
Sheri Dew was the fireside speaker Sunday night (awesome talk) and we have devotional tonight. Don't know the speaker yet. Choir is great -- we sing on Sundays and Tuesdays. Gym five days a week has been a blast. We went to the actual gym one time and have played soccer on the field the other 2 times (five a week starts this week). The food is actually better than the CANC so I really like it.
I loved going to the temple today. It was so pretty! I guess there's not much more to report so have a wonderful day!
Today is my first preparation day, hurray! Ah, life is good. The Church is true!! I'm starting to get used to the schedule of being a missionary. My companion is awesome. I'm so glad I have an obedient companero. We finally got two more elders in the room with us and they don't follow all the rules as closely as my companion and I. We are like early to all our meetings, working hard together, and praying together so I'm happy. Sometimes it's hard to love him, but when I do it's awesome so I'm trying to focus on his strengths. He has like 8 siblings (2 older) and lives near Chicago. ... He loves to play soccer and work out. ... Anyway, he has a strong testimony and is learning fast -- so it's a challenge to keep up. Elder Peterson is going to Vancaqua, Chile.
The elders that moved in our room are now in our district (they moved up from beginning Spanish) and one sister from our district moved up to advanced but we also had one move in from beginning so anyways we have 11 in our disctrict now -- we're pretty much family. The guys are cool -- and there are like 8 different missions -- 3 in Chile, 1 in Nicaragua, 2 in Honduras, Anaheim, and Guatemala. I still haven't met anyone going to Anaheim, but I heard a prayer in one of our big meetings by someone going there.
Spanish is coming along slowly but surely. So far we've learned to pray in Spanish, bear our testimony, say some greetings, etc. We've also been working on Lesson 1 in PMG. We made an outline and then taught it for the first time yesterday.
My 3 teachers are great. Hermana Alleto comes every day, and Hermano Lindahl and Tuttle come every other day (no class on Tuesdays). They have great personalities, Spanish skills, and testimonies. We had a ton of meetings (extra) this last week since we're new but now are in a good schedule and things are looking awesome for the next couple weeks.
Sheri Dew was the fireside speaker Sunday night (awesome talk) and we have devotional tonight. Don't know the speaker yet. Choir is great -- we sing on Sundays and Tuesdays. Gym five days a week has been a blast. We went to the actual gym one time and have played soccer on the field the other 2 times (five a week starts this week). The food is actually better than the CANC so I really like it.
I loved going to the temple today. It was so pretty! I guess there's not much more to report so have a wonderful day!
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Email dated 10/22/2008
Shane is now allowed to spend 30 minutes on P-Days typing an email. We're not going to send him emails because we want him to spend his email time writing, not reading. Here are some excerpts from his first one:
I love being here. The spirit is great, my companion is awesome and I love the other companionships in my district. My branch on Sunday was really good. Sundays are great. There is choir, and a fireside to end the day. Oh, and after the fireside there are four movies you can watch Sunday night. Mountain of the Lord, Joseph Smith prophet of the restoration, The Restoration, and another one about teaching or something. We didn't get to watch one this week since it's our first week, but next week for sure :)
I am aware that Heather [Richardson] is on a mission. Hopefully I'll get to say Hi before she leaves. I do indeed get to attend the temple on preparation days and I love it.
Oh, and if you could write on my blog that I have practically no addresses so if anyone wants a letter they need to send me one? That'd be great. I can't get to any website besides this one [his missionary email account] so yeah, just tell them I said that. Hopefully you keep my blog updated so all my friends can read about me. Thanks for everything!!! Lots of love from the MTC,
Elder Curtis
I love being here. The spirit is great, my companion is awesome and I love the other companionships in my district. My branch on Sunday was really good. Sundays are great. There is choir, and a fireside to end the day. Oh, and after the fireside there are four movies you can watch Sunday night. Mountain of the Lord, Joseph Smith prophet of the restoration, The Restoration, and another one about teaching or something. We didn't get to watch one this week since it's our first week, but next week for sure :)
I am aware that Heather [Richardson] is on a mission. Hopefully I'll get to say Hi before she leaves. I do indeed get to attend the temple on preparation days and I love it.
Oh, and if you could write on my blog that I have practically no addresses so if anyone wants a letter they need to send me one? That'd be great. I can't get to any website besides this one [his missionary email account] so yeah, just tell them I said that. Hopefully you keep my blog updated so all my friends can read about me. Thanks for everything!!! Lots of love from the MTC,
Elder Curtis
Sunday, October 19, 2008
First letter
Saturday we received our first letter from Shane. He says "My mind is going crazy with too much input, but I'm happy to be here. There is a great spirit here. It really is happening and I already feel inadequate but that's part of it all I guess."
His companion is Elder Peterson, who, like most people in Shane's district, is going to Chili on his mission. Shane hasn't met anyone going to Anaheim yet, but that may be because they are in the beginning Spanish class (Shane is in the intermediate class). Shane says Elder Peterson is a great guy and companion.
Shane says his leaders and teachers are great. It's awesome to see the spirit shining through him in his letters.
Shane's preparation day is Tuesday, so we look forward to another letter soon after.
His companion is Elder Peterson, who, like most people in Shane's district, is going to Chili on his mission. Shane hasn't met anyone going to Anaheim yet, but that may be because they are in the beginning Spanish class (Shane is in the intermediate class). Shane says Elder Peterson is a great guy and companion.
Shane says his leaders and teachers are great. It's awesome to see the spirit shining through him in his letters.
Shane's preparation day is Tuesday, so we look forward to another letter soon after.
His missionary badge
Penny had the honor of placing his missionary badge on his suit for the first time. It looks good on him!
Entering the MTC
Wednesday the 15th was a day we'll never forget! We were glad to be there to share it with Shane.
Set Apart
Shane was set apart by President Bangerter on Monday, October 13th. Shane was given an amazing blessing. He'll be a great missionary!
Thursday, October 16, 2008
First Day
After a hectic morning of last-minute organizing, gathering, and packing, we took Shane to the MTC yesterday morning. We were supposed to arrive at 11:30 but were a half hour late. I understand that it doesn't matter too much what time you get there -- they just give a specific time to try to keep everyone from arriving at once.
We took pictures and went inside where Shane got his missionary badge (in Spanish). Then we sat through a dozen or two Mormon ads (Family -- isn't it about time?) and then enjoyed the meeting welcoming the missionaries and assuring the families. Then after several tearful moments and hugs, Shane was off on the adventure of a lifetime.
Photos soon to come ...
We took pictures and went inside where Shane got his missionary badge (in Spanish). Then we sat through a dozen or two Mormon ads (Family -- isn't it about time?) and then enjoyed the meeting welcoming the missionaries and assuring the families. Then after several tearful moments and hugs, Shane was off on the adventure of a lifetime.
Photos soon to come ...
Monday, October 6, 2008
Almost There!
Shane enters the Provo MTC on Wednesday, October 15, 2008 -- only 9 days from now! Shane's last day working at Boondocks is this Friday, the 10th. Good luck getting everything ready Shane!
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