Hey Family! Okay, so here’s the deal. I spent half an hour or more writing a whole page on Word to send to everyone on email. We were at the library, so the thing had a time limit on it. I figured I’d be fine, so I just kept on writing until I had like only a minute or two left. Then I tried to open my email to send the letter, but the internet connection was so slow, and the time just kept ticking, so I tried to save the document, but it’s a public computer so it just shut off on me before I could save or send it. I talked to the library lady, but she said that it was too late, soooo ….. I have to try and remember everything and send it snail mail. Stupid on my part I know. Next time I’ll take my flash drive, just in case. J Frustrating at the time, but now it’s kind of funny.
So my first week here has been great! My companion is Elder Swenson. Transfers were today, and they decided to keep him as my trainer. It’s my first transfer and his last. J He’s really cool. He’s a lot like me, and we get along quite well. He’s easy going, but he cares a lot – so he’s perfect. He has no fear, and he’s so cheerful, so he gets along with anyone he talks to – so knocking doors isn’t as bad as it would be. His Spanish is really good, and he’s really good at teaching, so I’m happy to be with him and know I’ll learn a lot. He’s really funny too, so I get my daily laugh in.
The apartment is nice, but it’s kind of gross, lol. I’ll have to whip it up into shape – well as much as I can do without replacing stuff. J I sleep on a bunk bed, and so I’m on the bottom. When I got here, there was just some old sheets on the bed, so I bought a blanket to keep warm.
We have an ’07 Corolla to drive – it’s a lot nicer than the one I used to drive, lol. The one we had last week got shaky when we went too fast, so we got a new one today, but it’s the exact same car – both a silver color.
The weather is so nice here, and I love how arm climates smell outside – it reminds me of Arizona. I love palm trees. It did rain a couple days this last week though, but E. Swenson said rain is pretty rare, so I can endure the couple days it does rain. J We went running a couple days this past week as well, so that’s nice.
The first night for dinner we ate at this Mexican Taco place, and E. Swenson convinced me to try one with cow tongue. It didn’t look any different from the regular meat tacos – except if you look close you can see the ridges. It didn’t taste bad – it was just a little softer than normal meat. J E. Swenson topped me by trying buche (stomach) and head meat.
We ate at members’ houses most nights, and I’m really enjoying the Mexican food. I even tried part of a Habanero chili last night – one of the world’s hottest foods. The thing was teeny, but I thought my tongue would fall out. E. Swenson had one too. He said he had one his first week, so he wanted me to as well. It wasn’t just hot, it was pain! Like intense pain for at least a half hour. It just doesn’t go away – pretty intense. At least I can say I’ve tried one now.
We visited a lot of people this week, but all of them were just drop-bys, cause all our appointments were no-shows, lol. We knocked some doors too, so it’s been a good first week. I’m in the city of La Habra, and me and E. Swenson are assigned as Spanish missionaries, so we visit a lot of Spanish people and go to the Spanish ward. It’s the most North area, so we are on the north and west border (of the mission).
I got tired after the first hour of church, trying to figure out what they were saying, so I kind of gave up – haha. It’s frustrating at a member’s house during dinner or whatever when I don’t even know what they’re talking about. But I’ll get better eventually. That’s what senior companions are for – they cover for you. J
It’s just embarrassing when someone asks you a question, and you’re like what? So they repeat it just as fast as last time, and you’re like uhh… I thought I could understand pretty good, but they speak fast and a little slurred. So now I want to tell people “no I don’t speak Spanish,” instead of “a little bit” and then having them talk to you expecting you to understand. Then they ask E. Swenson if I can speak/understand, and he’s like “yeah, he speaks pretty well,” and I’m like “thanks a lot, Swens,” lol.
There was an investigator in this area that got baptized yesterday, so that was cool. He and three other Latinos got baptized into the ward – two young and two adults. The service was in Spanish of course, so I didn’t understand much, but it was nice, and I led the music. It was cool to have a baptism my first week, but it was planned before I even got here, so I don’t really count it.
So I’m here for six weeks at least. Anyway, love you all so much. Thanks for your support. Everyone here is really nice – the mission pres and his wife, my comp, and my 3 other roommates (who just got stuck in a threesome today) – so don’t worry about me.
Love,
Elder Curtis
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Snail Mail -- January 20, 2009
It is so beautiful here! When I left SLC it was so hazy I couldn’t see the ground from the plane, but here it is blue skies and sunny around 80 degrees, so I am loving it. President, his wife, and two AP’s picked me up, and we are at the mission home.
They are all so nice and I think President is awesome. He’s really obedient and wants to follow rules, so we can only write family on email and can no longer go to Disneyland my last P-day, but I’m not too worried about that.
I’m going to be in a regular companionship with an elder who used to be in a threesome. I’ve heard great things, so I’m excited to meet him. Transfers are next Monday, so I don’t know if I’ll stay with him, but I’ll do what they want me to do.
My flight was great and this place is heaven, so I’m happy to be here. I love you all so much. The Bartons were a great help and got me all situated, so I’m doing fine. Hope Mom and Dad enjoyed their trip!
They are all so nice and I think President is awesome. He’s really obedient and wants to follow rules, so we can only write family on email and can no longer go to Disneyland my last P-day, but I’m not too worried about that.
I’m going to be in a regular companionship with an elder who used to be in a threesome. I’ve heard great things, so I’m excited to meet him. Transfers are next Monday, so I don’t know if I’ll stay with him, but I’ll do what they want me to do.
My flight was great and this place is heaven, so I’m happy to be here. I love you all so much. The Bartons were a great help and got me all situated, so I’m doing fine. Hope Mom and Dad enjoyed their trip!
Love,
Elder Curtis
Home for 5 Weeks
The last couple weeks at the MTC, Shane met with several doctors and had several tests done, and it was determined that he should come home for a time to address some health issues. So on December 16th (the day Shane was to fly to Anaheim), Shane came home and was released from his mission.
Coming home was his last choice. It was a difficult time. He was basically in limbo, without a job, without being in school, without being on a mission.
But there were some positive things that came out of it. Shane was able to be home for Christmas and go with us to Pittsburgh, PA to visit Ross, Anna, and Tereesah. While there, Shane spent two days serving with the missionaries. And Shane performed some baptisms in the Washington, D.C. temple. In Highland, Shane did some temple work for some of our ancestors.
After having sufficient time to get the medical issues addressed, Shane was set apart as a missionary again and flew to Anaheim on January 20th.
Coming home was his last choice. It was a difficult time. He was basically in limbo, without a job, without being in school, without being on a mission.
But there were some positive things that came out of it. Shane was able to be home for Christmas and go with us to Pittsburgh, PA to visit Ross, Anna, and Tereesah. While there, Shane spent two days serving with the missionaries. And Shane performed some baptisms in the Washington, D.C. temple. In Highland, Shane did some temple work for some of our ancestors.
After having sufficient time to get the medical issues addressed, Shane was set apart as a missionary again and flew to Anaheim on January 20th.
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Email 12/02/08
Hey everyone!
Thanks for the letters and your continued support. This week has been pretty average I guess.
We are growing closer as a district and learning how to love and let others be themselves. Our two hermano teachers went out of town for thanksgiving, but Hermana Alletto didn't so we only had a sub half the time.
I can't remember if I told you this, but last Monday I had a 20-25 minute conversation with a guy who called for a DVD. It was really cool. He said he was looking for answers in life, but he didn't want to talk to the missionaries. He decided to ask me some questions instead. He asked what the difference between Mormons and Christians are and I explained that there isn't a difference, we are Christians. Then he asked me about a passage in Hebrews I think. He was just nervous about the atonement and whether it ever stops working. He wondered if God loves us and so I bore my testimony to him and explained everything the best I could. I left him with our website so hopefully he goes there and gets some answers.
Before devotionals and firesides we always have prelude. Instead of just listening to the organ, we sing a couple songs before the meeting starts (and then we have an opening song). It's really cool when everyone is singing and it helps bring the spirit.
Like I said in my letter Thursday (which I hope you got), we got to put 10,000 first aid packages together on Thanksgiving. It was my job to put 200 elastic bandages in the zip lock bags. Our table made 200 kits and there were lots of other tables so it was pretty amazing. While we worked we sang hymns and primary songs which made it lots of fun.
That night we had another fireside by the mission president and his wife. For those of you who don't live at home, On Thursday we had 3 firesides, some free time, and that service project. One of the firesides was on humanitarian aid that the church does around the world.
Since it was thanksgiving weekend we didn't have TRC, but we sure have been practicing teaching a lot anyways.
On Sunday I got to play the cello they have here at the MTC. I'm thinking about playing in Sacrament meeting before I go. It was fun. They had someone donate a cello and a violin so you can go check them out and use them in musical numbers etc. On Sunday we watched the Restoration and the Legacy of Kirtland.
There is a funny joke I heard, but only those who know Spanish will probably get it. There was a Mexican that went to a store and he only knew Spanish and the store person only knew English so he walked around pointing at stuff asking "is this what you want?" and the Mexican would shake his head until finally he pointed to socks and the Mexican said "Eso si que es!" Pronounces (s-o-c-k-s) and the store clerk was like why didn't you spell it in the first place?
Love,
Elder Curtis
Thanks for the letters and your continued support. This week has been pretty average I guess.
We are growing closer as a district and learning how to love and let others be themselves. Our two hermano teachers went out of town for thanksgiving, but Hermana Alletto didn't so we only had a sub half the time.
I can't remember if I told you this, but last Monday I had a 20-25 minute conversation with a guy who called for a DVD. It was really cool. He said he was looking for answers in life, but he didn't want to talk to the missionaries. He decided to ask me some questions instead. He asked what the difference between Mormons and Christians are and I explained that there isn't a difference, we are Christians. Then he asked me about a passage in Hebrews I think. He was just nervous about the atonement and whether it ever stops working. He wondered if God loves us and so I bore my testimony to him and explained everything the best I could. I left him with our website so hopefully he goes there and gets some answers.
Before devotionals and firesides we always have prelude. Instead of just listening to the organ, we sing a couple songs before the meeting starts (and then we have an opening song). It's really cool when everyone is singing and it helps bring the spirit.
Like I said in my letter Thursday (which I hope you got), we got to put 10,000 first aid packages together on Thanksgiving. It was my job to put 200 elastic bandages in the zip lock bags. Our table made 200 kits and there were lots of other tables so it was pretty amazing. While we worked we sang hymns and primary songs which made it lots of fun.
That night we had another fireside by the mission president and his wife. For those of you who don't live at home, On Thursday we had 3 firesides, some free time, and that service project. One of the firesides was on humanitarian aid that the church does around the world.
Since it was thanksgiving weekend we didn't have TRC, but we sure have been practicing teaching a lot anyways.
On Sunday I got to play the cello they have here at the MTC. I'm thinking about playing in Sacrament meeting before I go. It was fun. They had someone donate a cello and a violin so you can go check them out and use them in musical numbers etc. On Sunday we watched the Restoration and the Legacy of Kirtland.
There is a funny joke I heard, but only those who know Spanish will probably get it. There was a Mexican that went to a store and he only knew Spanish and the store person only knew English so he walked around pointing at stuff asking "is this what you want?" and the Mexican would shake his head until finally he pointed to socks and the Mexican said "Eso si que es!" Pronounces (s-o-c-k-s) and the store clerk was like why didn't you spell it in the first place?
Love,
Elder Curtis
Snail Mail Letter 11/27/08
Hello!
Surprise Letter! Hope you guys enjoyed your thanksgivings. Too bad I couldn’t celebrate it w/ you.
So today we didn’t have any classes. We got up, had breakfast, studied a bit, then went to a morning fireside from a member of the 70. Then after it was over we had 2 hours to eat our Thanksgiving meal. Since everyone else went right away, we waited an hour so we didn’t have massive lines to wait in. It was a pretty good meal, but nothing like Thanksgiving at home.
Then we had some free time till 3:30. At that time we went to a fireside about humanitarian work of the Church. It’s really amazing how much the Church does. At 4:45 half the MTC went to do the humanitarian project while we stayed in the gym and watched a recorded BYU choir concert. They had funny hair so I’m guessing it was in the 80’s.
Right now everyone is eating the sack dinner we picked up after lunch. We also have permission to write letters. J
At 7:00 it’s our turn to go to the cafeteria and assemble first aid boxes. Each half of the MTC is doing 5,000 kits so it’s pretty incredible. I will be at a station putting the same item into each kit that our table does. There are like 30 stations per table and multiple tables. They have it organized quite well.
You should see the MTC. They started putting up Christmas lights beginning of November, so it’s going to look like temple square by the time I leave. J
Oh, you’ll never guess what son we sang today at the fireside, lol. It was also the last song of the BYU concert. J
I’m listening to the London Brass Christmas CD right now – such an amazing CD. Hope your Christmas season is joyful and full of the spirit. Make lots of happy memories. I’m sure I will.
Oh, on Tuesday the speaker was Elder Allan Packer of the 70. It was a pretty good talk.
Have a great school-free weekend. Love you all so much!
Elder Shane Curtis
Surprise Letter! Hope you guys enjoyed your thanksgivings. Too bad I couldn’t celebrate it w/ you.
So today we didn’t have any classes. We got up, had breakfast, studied a bit, then went to a morning fireside from a member of the 70. Then after it was over we had 2 hours to eat our Thanksgiving meal. Since everyone else went right away, we waited an hour so we didn’t have massive lines to wait in. It was a pretty good meal, but nothing like Thanksgiving at home.
Then we had some free time till 3:30. At that time we went to a fireside about humanitarian work of the Church. It’s really amazing how much the Church does. At 4:45 half the MTC went to do the humanitarian project while we stayed in the gym and watched a recorded BYU choir concert. They had funny hair so I’m guessing it was in the 80’s.
Right now everyone is eating the sack dinner we picked up after lunch. We also have permission to write letters. J
At 7:00 it’s our turn to go to the cafeteria and assemble first aid boxes. Each half of the MTC is doing 5,000 kits so it’s pretty incredible. I will be at a station putting the same item into each kit that our table does. There are like 30 stations per table and multiple tables. They have it organized quite well.
You should see the MTC. They started putting up Christmas lights beginning of November, so it’s going to look like temple square by the time I leave. J
Oh, you’ll never guess what son we sang today at the fireside, lol. It was also the last song of the BYU concert. J
I’m listening to the London Brass Christmas CD right now – such an amazing CD. Hope your Christmas season is joyful and full of the spirit. Make lots of happy memories. I’m sure I will.
Oh, on Tuesday the speaker was Elder Allan Packer of the 70. It was a pretty good talk.
Have a great school-free weekend. Love you all so much!
Elder Shane Curtis
Snail Mail Letter 11/25/08
Hello Everyone!
They have a picture developing program at the bookstore and it’s really cheap so I decided to send you some pictures.
They have a picture developing program at the bookstore and it’s really cheap so I decided to send you some pictures.
This one is my district in front of the temple before Elders Ortiz and Winters left to Guatemala. From right to left – me, Elder Peterson, Elder Freeman, Elder Ortiz, Hermana Demers (she’s 27!), Elder Land, Elder Winters, Elder Hadfield, Elder Johns (DL), and Elder Skiles (sky-uls).
Left to right – Elder Kinser, Elder Peterson, Elder Lam, me – Elder Curtis.
A sweet card they gave me when I got here to carry with me on my mission. It’s not as big as it looks in the picture.
Every week we have a TRC appointment – Training Resource Center. I already told you about last week’s, but I wanted to explain it in general more. Every week we have a situation. We know ahead of time info about the “investigator” we’re going to teach so we prepare during the week. We have a beginning part where we have to use Spanish and talk to the person in different settings. The first week we contacted someone in “the park”; a different week we took someone to church on a “bus ride” and had to ask certain things during the ride. One week we “helped someone move” and had to know furniture words, etc., plus share a short message; last week we had to learn food vocab b/c we “ate at a café” an investigator owned and this coming Friday we are buying clothing at a store. These activities are mostly just to get us to learn certain things in Spanish and half the time we can’t do them b/c we don’t have time or there aren’t volunteers, but we prepare and learn the material so that’s what matters. After the 15-20 minute activity I just described we then teach a lesson. Before last week we did them in English, but now we teach in Spanish. Sometimes our teachers have us practice teaching people from other districts so we get lots of practice teaching.
Have I told you guys about my district’s obsession with the song “Come Thou Fount (of every blessing)”? There is a computer in our classroom and every day they get on to this certain general conference where MoTab sang it and they play it often, usually more than once a day. My companion is constantly singing/humming it and we are singing it for the second time in choir tonight. It has been talked about in at least 2 firesides. It was one of two special musical numbers in firesides (one was w/ piano, a cello, and voice), a district sang “O My Father” to its tune in Sacrament Meeting, and yesterday Jeri wrote and said she sang it in choir too! I was like AHH, this song is haunting me! Oh, and it was the closing song to a fireside (at least one). It’s really powerful, and I like it a lot, but too much of a good thing can get old pretty quick, and I swear I’m being haunted by the Ghost of Come Thou Fount. J
It was really cool in the fireside Sunday, because they talked about this documentary film they show all new missionaries called “The District.” The guy who was in charge of it talked to us about how it came to be. It’s like a reality-TV sort of thing. They had 4 missionaries trained in PMG for 5 weeks and then sent them to do missionary work for a couple weeks as they followed them around with cameras 24/7. It’s a really neat thing to watch because both companionships end up baptizing people at the end. It’s pretty cool they could teach and investigators could listen and respond pretty normally all in front of cameras. They had one of the sisters who was in it come talk to us as well. The mission they did was San Antonio TX.
As I said in my email, Elder Holland talked to us last Tuesday and it was so powerful! He speaks with so much passion he can’t hardly get all the words out he wants to say. He said VERY strongly “Don’t Go Home!” He talked about how WE are the most important ones to have a testimony. If we come home after the mission and fall away, PMG has failed because that’s one of its main purposes. He also talked about how important it is to teach w/ the Holy Ghost. We can have a member of the Godhead with us as we teach! The Father and the Son can’t come, but the Spirit can and it must. He also said very strongly “My mission means everything to me!” and said that quote about how he things of his mission every day. He’s an amazing teacher. He said he was exhausted but decided to come talk to us anyway – and boy did he talk! J
I got a haircut today so I’m not shaggy anymore. It sure is nice.
Hope you all have a good week. Love you so much,
Elder Curtis
P.S. I forgot to tell you who Elders Kinser and Lam are. They are some elders that left 1 or 2 weeks ago and they were awesome missionaries that really inspired me. They bore their testimonies to Elder Peterson and I and talked to us in Spanish for about 1 half an hour or more one time. They talked about how bad they were (at Spanish) when they first arrived, but through Christ have gotten much better. They are going stateside and are just awesome people.
Have I told you guys about my district’s obsession with the song “Come Thou Fount (of every blessing)”? There is a computer in our classroom and every day they get on to this certain general conference where MoTab sang it and they play it often, usually more than once a day. My companion is constantly singing/humming it and we are singing it for the second time in choir tonight. It has been talked about in at least 2 firesides. It was one of two special musical numbers in firesides (one was w/ piano, a cello, and voice), a district sang “O My Father” to its tune in Sacrament Meeting, and yesterday Jeri wrote and said she sang it in choir too! I was like AHH, this song is haunting me! Oh, and it was the closing song to a fireside (at least one). It’s really powerful, and I like it a lot, but too much of a good thing can get old pretty quick, and I swear I’m being haunted by the Ghost of Come Thou Fount. J
It was really cool in the fireside Sunday, because they talked about this documentary film they show all new missionaries called “The District.” The guy who was in charge of it talked to us about how it came to be. It’s like a reality-TV sort of thing. They had 4 missionaries trained in PMG for 5 weeks and then sent them to do missionary work for a couple weeks as they followed them around with cameras 24/7. It’s a really neat thing to watch because both companionships end up baptizing people at the end. It’s pretty cool they could teach and investigators could listen and respond pretty normally all in front of cameras. They had one of the sisters who was in it come talk to us as well. The mission they did was San Antonio TX.
As I said in my email, Elder Holland talked to us last Tuesday and it was so powerful! He speaks with so much passion he can’t hardly get all the words out he wants to say. He said VERY strongly “Don’t Go Home!” He talked about how WE are the most important ones to have a testimony. If we come home after the mission and fall away, PMG has failed because that’s one of its main purposes. He also talked about how important it is to teach w/ the Holy Ghost. We can have a member of the Godhead with us as we teach! The Father and the Son can’t come, but the Spirit can and it must. He also said very strongly “My mission means everything to me!” and said that quote about how he things of his mission every day. He’s an amazing teacher. He said he was exhausted but decided to come talk to us anyway – and boy did he talk! J
I got a haircut today so I’m not shaggy anymore. It sure is nice.
Hope you all have a good week. Love you so much,
Elder Curtis
P.S. I forgot to tell you who Elders Kinser and Lam are. They are some elders that left 1 or 2 weeks ago and they were awesome missionaries that really inspired me. They bore their testimonies to Elder Peterson and I and talked to us in Spanish for about 1 half an hour or more one time. They talked about how bad they were (at Spanish) when they first arrived, but through Christ have gotten much better. They are going stateside and are just awesome people.
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Email 11/25/2008
Hey everyone! Thanks for all the letters.
I'm writing a tad later because we went to the temple a little early to do initiatory, but the wait was already 45 minutes so we did sealings instead. Elder Peterson hasn't done either so it was a great experience. Then afterwards we sat in the Celestial room for a while.
This last week we got some new roommates. They already know Spanish so they'll leave before us. They are from the US and are going to Mexico on their missions. They are great elders.
I know I'm improving my Spanish cause when I think back to how bad I used to be I can tell I’ve improved, but during each week and day it's hard to notice the progress, but I know I'll eventually get it down so I'm not worried. Ross wrote some Spanish in his letter and I was surprised by how much he remembered especially after learning Thai :)
On Sunday we have Sacrament meeting at 8 and priesthood at 11. Each week they randomly pick an elder and a sister to give a short 2-5 minute talk (in Spanish). We have to be ready every week in case we get picked. I haven't talked yet, but I have lots of good lessons already :) Then after the two talks, one of the presidency, or a visitor, or a wife talks for the rest of the time. In priesthood one of the presidency usually teaches the lesson.
I can never remember what I have told you and what I haven't so bear with me if I ever repeat myself. We live on the third floor of our building so we are constantly climbing stairs :) I don't mind too much though – I need all the extra exercise I can get since I sit around the rest of the day.
I've been able to play the piano at least once a week which has been nice.
Elder Peterson plays trumpet but he wanted me to teach him bass clef. He is so funny though, because for some reason he just plain can't relax his muscles. Tense up all the muscles in your hand and that's what it looks like when he tries to play. That's also why he can't roll his r's because he can't relax his tongue! He also has a hard time with his back and he can't get adjusted very easily because he can't relax! It is so weird. I'm grateful I can relax my body :)
On Friday we went to the doctor because Elder Peterson's back was bothering him and he found out he has a nasal infection. The doctor also "tried" to adjust his back a little. Normally they ship medications to the MTC, but we couldn't go back that day so we got to leave the MTC and walk to the BYU health clinic to get some meds for him.
I heard from one of my teachers that gas prices are below $2 and I was SHOCKED! That's absolutely crazy.
I heard about the BYU game. Kind of disappointing.
Oh, guess who came to devotional last Tuesday? Jeffrey R. Holland! It was so powerful of a talk!!! We've seen a talk he gave a couple years ago here and he repeated some things, but also said lots of new things. He is so passionate about missions!!!!!!!!!!!! I loved it. I also watched the "Gift of Teaching" talk he did for a teaching broadcast. It was from earlier in the year I think and I enjoyed seeing it again. I saw it on Sunday. He is such an amazing apostle.
For TRC this week we prepared everything for it, but we didn't get to do it since they never have people here on Fridays to teach. Plus we had to go teach Alessandro again. We are actually making some progress on him so that's encouraging. We talked about prayer. I don't have any more time but have a good week!
Love,
Elder Curtis
I'm writing a tad later because we went to the temple a little early to do initiatory, but the wait was already 45 minutes so we did sealings instead. Elder Peterson hasn't done either so it was a great experience. Then afterwards we sat in the Celestial room for a while.
This last week we got some new roommates. They already know Spanish so they'll leave before us. They are from the US and are going to Mexico on their missions. They are great elders.
I know I'm improving my Spanish cause when I think back to how bad I used to be I can tell I’ve improved, but during each week and day it's hard to notice the progress, but I know I'll eventually get it down so I'm not worried. Ross wrote some Spanish in his letter and I was surprised by how much he remembered especially after learning Thai :)
On Sunday we have Sacrament meeting at 8 and priesthood at 11. Each week they randomly pick an elder and a sister to give a short 2-5 minute talk (in Spanish). We have to be ready every week in case we get picked. I haven't talked yet, but I have lots of good lessons already :) Then after the two talks, one of the presidency, or a visitor, or a wife talks for the rest of the time. In priesthood one of the presidency usually teaches the lesson.
I can never remember what I have told you and what I haven't so bear with me if I ever repeat myself. We live on the third floor of our building so we are constantly climbing stairs :) I don't mind too much though – I need all the extra exercise I can get since I sit around the rest of the day.
I've been able to play the piano at least once a week which has been nice.
Elder Peterson plays trumpet but he wanted me to teach him bass clef. He is so funny though, because for some reason he just plain can't relax his muscles. Tense up all the muscles in your hand and that's what it looks like when he tries to play. That's also why he can't roll his r's because he can't relax his tongue! He also has a hard time with his back and he can't get adjusted very easily because he can't relax! It is so weird. I'm grateful I can relax my body :)
On Friday we went to the doctor because Elder Peterson's back was bothering him and he found out he has a nasal infection. The doctor also "tried" to adjust his back a little. Normally they ship medications to the MTC, but we couldn't go back that day so we got to leave the MTC and walk to the BYU health clinic to get some meds for him.
I heard from one of my teachers that gas prices are below $2 and I was SHOCKED! That's absolutely crazy.
I heard about the BYU game. Kind of disappointing.
Oh, guess who came to devotional last Tuesday? Jeffrey R. Holland! It was so powerful of a talk!!! We've seen a talk he gave a couple years ago here and he repeated some things, but also said lots of new things. He is so passionate about missions!!!!!!!!!!!! I loved it. I also watched the "Gift of Teaching" talk he did for a teaching broadcast. It was from earlier in the year I think and I enjoyed seeing it again. I saw it on Sunday. He is such an amazing apostle.
For TRC this week we prepared everything for it, but we didn't get to do it since they never have people here on Fridays to teach. Plus we had to go teach Alessandro again. We are actually making some progress on him so that's encouraging. We talked about prayer. I don't have any more time but have a good week!
Love,
Elder Curtis
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