Oct 27: MTC week 3 DONE

Hola, mis amigos!

I survived another week in the MTC! Last Sunday Elder Soares came from the Quorum of the 12 Apostles and gave a beautiful talk. He talked about 2 missionaries back in 1956 who were serving in the area where he lived in Brazil. He was only 5 or 6 at the time. He said the missionaries would come by, and he remembered the feeling that he felt every time they would come over. He never wanted them to go away. The missionaries kept encouraging them to read the scriptures, pray, and attend church. When they felt the time was necessary the missionaries asked this family if they would be baptized. They agreed and were baptized the following week. Elder Soares’ parents, along with his 2 older brothers were all baptized and received the gift of the Holy Ghost. Since Elder Soares was too young at the time, he was unable to be baptized for a couple more years. 

What a cool and powerful story. Of course, he told it much better, but the moral of the story is - as missionaries of the Lord Jesus Christ, we don't know who the Lord is preparing for us to convert. We don't know what people we are going to meet and what people will be blessed for all of eternity by our message. For Elder Soares, those 2 missionaries changed his whole life.  I'm positive those missionaries didn't think they would baptize the parents of a future apostle, but that's the cool thing about missionary work. We get to go out 2 by 2 preaching in his name, blessing all those who listen. He really testified with the spirit that this is what I need to be doing at this time in my life. The spirit was so strong there, so strong. I still can't believe these apostles can go and give 30-minute speeches without writing down a single word on a notebook or anything. He told us how much the Quorum of the 12, and the First Presidency love and pray for the missionaries every single day of the week. (Oh and also - I’ve met Elder Soares a bit ago at my church meeting house before he was ordained an apostle. Just thought I’d make everybody jealous)

The Spanish is coming along. I have set a goal for myself to learn 40 words each day, and to learn 7 Spanish phrases. It's definitely not easy, but it's better than learning Hmong. I'm about halfway done with the MTC and I am ready to leave. I have come to love some of the Elders here from all around the world. It's crazy how you can come to love some kids that you have never met before in such a short period of time. The Lord has a plan for each one of his missionaries. Each missionary here was called by God to serve in an area where the Lord is currently preparing those to hear our message. Missionary work is truly amazing.

Also shout out to Elder Mearian, and Longaker for flying out this week. I'll send you pictures of what Ecuador looks like hehe

Love, 

Elder Rich

This is Elder Mitch. He says the funniest things. He's from Louisiana

We all parted our hair to host brand new missionaries. We all just did it to look super nerdy.
It was pretty funny. Hopefully, we didn't scare anyone away!  

We put on face masks for some reason. The girls in our district gave them to us  

Elder Longaker lookin mighty fine 

Oct 20 - Week two in the MTC

Well, here we are writing another email to Y'all. This week actually flew by. On Sunday we had choir practice for about an hour in the evening. When it was over we headed straight to dinner and left our bags in the gym - we were gonna grab them once dinner was over. After dinner, there was going to be a fireside, so we walked back into the gym and there was a couple practicing their song for the fireside. Being the kids we are, we all sat down on the bleachers on the top floor. Once they finished their song we ran down the bleachers to grab our bags and head back to our dorm to take a nap. Out of the blue, this super old dude stops us and hands us usher badges and says he needs us to help usher people into the fireside. He made it seem like we didn't have a choice and told us to follow him down the hallway where he gave us our usher assignment. It was actually the funniest thing ever! Elder Mitch and I were just laughing the whole time he was giving us assignments cause we couldn't believe what we saw. We've all always wanted to be an usher though, it felt good to boss people around for 20 minutes. Since we ushered we got to sit on the second row right behind the girls who were going to be performing their song. It was a blessing we got to watch the fireside so close to the front so we wouldn't fall asleep. We even made it on the big screen. I am no longer Elder Rich, so feel free to call me Usher Rich. 

The MTC really feels like groundhog day mixed with prison. We do the same thing every day. Add in another 6 hours of language classes and 3 hours of language study in there too. Preparation days really are the best mainly because we don't have class, and of course, because we get to go to the temple also. I feel like every time I leave the campus people just stare at me because I’m a missionary. We got to teach an Investigator (which I’m almost positive she was an actor) a couple times this week in Spanish. Elder Flake and I prepared a great lesson and when we got to talking, I swear my brain shut off and it was like I didn't know a lick of Spanish. We got assigned a girl named Andrea who Elder Flake and I will be teaching the next couple of weeks. She is from Spain and moved to the United States to learn English. She thinks there are a prominent amount of Mormons where she lives and she'd like to learn more about their religion. We'll see how it goes I guess. 

This week I realized how hard a mission really is. It's been especially difficult this week because my abs hurt so bad from Elder Mitch making me laugh. He is probably the funniest kid I’ve ever met. Spanish is kicking my butt, the amount of Spanish they expect you to learn is crazy. I also realized how much I miss my family and my comfortable bed. Missions really are super awesome, and aside from the difficulties, I know my mission isn't for just for me. It is for the people the Lord is preparing for me to serve in Ecuador. 

I hope everybody has a good week. 

Love Usher Rich

Your ushers

Ian's district

haircuts

Doughnuts from Nan

Living proof of the gross MTC food 

October 13 - Ian's first few days at the MTC

Hola mis amigos

I have been at the MTC for almost 3 days now and it is fabulous. I love it here. My companion's name is Elder Flake, and believe it or not, he is from Snowflake Arizona. So it is pretty easy, it seems, for people to learn who he is, including the President of the MTC so let's hope I don't have to speak in Sacrament meeting. When I first arrived at the MTC, my good buddy, Elder Mearian was waiting there in front of a huge line of elders hosting newly arrived Elders to their Dorm. He waited for almost 20 minutes worth of people in front of him just so he could host me. It was awesome! When you first enter the MTC for the first time as a brand new Elder, they give you a name badge that has a red circle taped to it so other people know it's your first day here. I swear, everybody, and I mean everybody, that you walk past says "Welcome to the MTC" and at first it was nice to be welcomed by others but they don't say it to be nice. They only say it because they think it is funny. You're supposed to keep the sticker on for the first week at the MTC, but Elder Flake and I pulled it off during the first day haha. To make ourselves feel better, whenever we would see somebody wearing a red sticker on their name badge, we would make sure to welcome them to the MTC.

Everybody here is so generous. It is rare that I actually open the door for myself because everybody is always trying to be the first person to do so. It is such a blessing to be surrounded by so many faithful and worthy representatives of the Lord. The spirit is so strong here. I feel like I am always hungry even after I eat a meal because the spirit is so strong. It is truly a confirmation from the spirit to me knowing this is the right decision. I actually have a lot more free time here than I expected. Our meals are supposed to last an hour, and it takes Elder Flake and me maybe 10 minutes so the remaining time we try and study Spanish as best as we can. We also have a large portion of time - maybe 3 hours to either do personal study, companionship study, or language study. It really is crazy how much Spanish they expect you to learn. Our second day here we had language class for almost 5 hours. I have already memorized our missionary purpose, how to pray, Moroni 10:5, and about 40 new words and phrases. In English, Moroni 10:5 says 

5 And by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things.

The gift of tongues is real. I have had a difficult time memorizing all these things, but after consistent prayer and dedication, I can say the Lord is here helping me.  My companion is seriously the smartest person I have ever met. He got a literal 35 on his ACT score and has a photographic memory so he can practically memorize something in less than a minute. He has the strongest testimony and is always encouraging me to be a better person. It was recently announced that he will be our district leader so he is the man in charge of about 15 elders and sisters, which of course means I'm his companion which makes me cool! 

The time here goes by so slow. These first couple days have been some of the longest days of my life. These days feel like weeks. This adventure is also one of the hardest ones that I have ever had to experience, but I am so grateful to grow closer to Christ and become a better person. Tonight I teach an interested person a discussion in Spanish which should be interesting. I am working my hardest! This has been such a fun mission already. I love you all.

Please send me pictures and or email me ;)

Encantado de hablar con ustedes ( It was a pleasure to speak to you)

Love Elder Rich

Elder Mearian

Elder Longaker and my host Elder Mearian

My companion, Elder Flake

Elder Bourdos, a buddy of mine

 Elder Saxton a buddy of mine from Corner Canyon

Oct 10 - He made it to the MTC

First letter about 30 minutes after being dropped off

yo, you guys seriously don't need to worry about me. I will be just fine. Braxton 

has been showing me around helping me out with things.  i have already seen truman and braxton, and yes we got a picture. My p day will 

be on saturday. I love you guys take care talk to you in a couple days.

Missing Austin

The best surprise was having Ian's good friend Braxton wait for our car so he could be Ian's host.  It was so exciting and made saying goodbye so much easier.  We are so glad he was able to pull it off!

And he's off!

Oct 9 - Getting set apart as a missionary

This was a special day and Ian was ready to get this adventure started.  Our Stake President said that most missionaries are a little nervous or worried - but not Ian.  He was ready and so excited.  Special thanks to President Carr, President Gardiner, Bishop Hulet, and grandparents who came and also for friends and family who came to say goodbye after.

Dinner at Bombay House

We loved it that even Austin made it in the picture!

Saying goodbye to Nan and Papa

Lots of friends came over after to say bye

Cousins

Aunt Lisa

Uncle Troy

Sept 30 - Ian's farewell

Saying bye to Gma Criss and Gpa Randy

Best cousin Davis