Sent: Monday, August 17, 2009 8:18 AM
To: Huffman, Lisa
Subject: Zone Conferences, Boxes, Aquariums, Oh My!
Well another end to another good week. Brother Tyndel (from the 1st ward) took us and the English Zone Leaders to the aquarium last week. It was at Fort Fisher which is an old Civil War Fort. The Aquarium was newer, though. We saw an Albino Aligator named Luna.
The rest of the week was pretty crazy. We biked a lot and I got my pant leg snagged a couple times in my gears, haha. Fortunatley those pants got soaked in the rain so I can't wear them around. By the time they're dry it'll be interviews and I can have Sister cotterell sew them for me.
Last Friday was my first Zone Conference. It was really cool. Since there's only 30 Spanish missionaries they had both zones combined. I got to see Elder Parsons again and he looked really good. He said his brother got hit by a car in Indiana while riding his bike, but is ok.
We had a lot of good lessons in Zone Conference from President Cotterell, Elder Baker and Pepinos, and the AP's. Elder Baker gave us stickers to put on the back of our name tag with a commitment on it. It was really cool.
After zone conference Elder Jasperson and I had headaches (we had to get up at 5 and drive for 2 hours since the conference was in Raleigh and we hadn't eaten anything.) Elder Larsen drove us to Wallace (his area) and then we drove from there to our area. We got home around 8:30 that night and stopped by a members house.
Yesterday we had one investigator at church. It wasn't as many as last week but it was good. After church we went to see Celeste. She's moving to Mexico on the 29th but if she wasn't she would be so ready for baptism. She's really fun to talk to and our lessons are always full of the spirit when we're with her.
We also met with Arcio and Hector. We've been meeting with Arcio for a while. He lives with a bunch of his cousins and everyone he lives with is really accepting of the gospel. Arcio and Hector have baptisimal dates for September 12th. Giovani also lives with them and Elder Jasperson thinks that he's the best investigator we have. On Saturday we were leaving the trailer and he was there saying "I saw your car when I drove in and I walked all over the neighborhood looking for you. Oh well, guess I'l lsee you tomarrow at church." He didn't come to church, but the fact that he was excited to see us was cool enough, haha.
As far as this week goes it's the last week of my first transfer. This transfer has gone by so fast but from what I hear it's the "longest" transfer.
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Sent: Monday, August 10, 2009 8:56 AM
To: Huffman, Lisa
Subject: Famb'lee!
Ok, I got one letter this week so I won't write this in Spanish (but it was an old one that came late, so concider yourselves lucky!)
This week was nuts. I went on another exchange (I go on one every week since Elder Jasperson is DL). I got to go back to Wallace but this time I was with Elder Larsen, who we call Big Lars. He's really cool but really, really quirky. He's like a guy version of Courtney, actually. We had two dinner appointments that night. The first was with a Less Active family and things got heated when we talked about prayer, haha. The other was with a guy named Victor. He's the Branch Mission Leader (Wallace only has a Branch for Spanish and English members, no Ward.) He's really young and is moving to Provo in a month for School.
Yesterday, we had 7 investigators (we just call them Gators) to church. We usually have one or two come, but they had been coming since before we got here, so this is my first real time having an investigator come. They all liked it.
After church we had dinner with a member. He lives in Oaklahoma but is here for work for the next month or so. He's originaly from American Fork so when he heard I was from Lehi he started picking on me, haha. He fed both us and the English ZL's. It was the best meal I've had since I left. He made up a recipe for pasta that had shrimp, scallops, Italian sausage, and yogurt. It was really, really good.
Elder JAsperson and I then went to Bell street to talk to an investigator. He wasn't there and no one lese was at any house. We got to the end of the road and there was a huge fiesta going on. It was a girl's birthday party and the person we were visitting was there (along with the whole neigborhood). The tradition is (from what I could translate from our gator) was that for every year they have they have that many pinatas. We talked with Hector for a while and he invited us to have dinner with him on Thursday. We also have 2 more dinner appointments on Wednesday.
It's so awesome being here.
I hit my 3-month mark in 3 days. I don't get to burn anything, but in 3 more months I get to burn a tie. Elder Robertson (the English ZL) just hit his 18 month mark and burned his pants. I wasn't there but the pictures were cool.
To: Huffman, Lisa
Subject: Famb'lee!
Ok, I got one letter this week so I won't write this in Spanish (but it was an old one that came late, so concider yourselves lucky!)
This week was nuts. I went on another exchange (I go on one every week since Elder Jasperson is DL). I got to go back to Wallace but this time I was with Elder Larsen, who we call Big Lars. He's really cool but really, really quirky. He's like a guy version of Courtney, actually. We had two dinner appointments that night. The first was with a Less Active family and things got heated when we talked about prayer, haha. The other was with a guy named Victor. He's the Branch Mission Leader (Wallace only has a Branch for Spanish and English members, no Ward.) He's really young and is moving to Provo in a month for School.
Yesterday, we had 7 investigators (we just call them Gators) to church. We usually have one or two come, but they had been coming since before we got here, so this is my first real time having an investigator come. They all liked it.
After church we had dinner with a member. He lives in Oaklahoma but is here for work for the next month or so. He's originaly from American Fork so when he heard I was from Lehi he started picking on me, haha. He fed both us and the English ZL's. It was the best meal I've had since I left. He made up a recipe for pasta that had shrimp, scallops, Italian sausage, and yogurt. It was really, really good.
Elder JAsperson and I then went to Bell street to talk to an investigator. He wasn't there and no one lese was at any house. We got to the end of the road and there was a huge fiesta going on. It was a girl's birthday party and the person we were visitting was there (along with the whole neigborhood). The tradition is (from what I could translate from our gator) was that for every year they have they have that many pinatas. We talked with Hector for a while and he invited us to have dinner with him on Thursday. We also have 2 more dinner appointments on Wednesday.
It's so awesome being here.
I hit my 3-month mark in 3 days. I don't get to burn anything, but in 3 more months I get to burn a tie. Elder Robertson (the English ZL) just hit his 18 month mark and burned his pants. I wasn't there but the pictures were cool.
Saturday, August 8, 2009
Monday, August 3, 2009
Today's Letter from Zach
Sent: Monday, August 03, 2009 1:47 PM
To: Huffman, Lisa
Subject: New apartment smell!
Crazy crazy week.
A couple days ago we got our new apartment. Elder Jasperson and I aren't sleeping on the floor anymore! Woohoo! Our new apartment is huge. It has 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, and a giant living room. We turned the other bedroom into a "closet". They were able to get us most of the furniture we need. We have tables, desks, beds, and a couple lamps. Unfortunately, we don't have lightbulbs or chairs. We'll make it, though. We baught most of what we needed (like lightbulbs and candy).
Other than that not a lot has really happened, haha. I went on a couple exchanges since last Monday. The first was with Elder Pepinos and we stayed in Wilmington. The second was with Elder Meza in Albertson (Elder Loe's area).
It's always neet seeing what other areas/companions are like but I think most of it is too show me how great of an area and companion I have, haha. Everyone who comes to Wilmington says I don't know how lucky I have it. But it's hard. Hands down hard. It's been 3 weeks and we have 1 progressing investigator and neither of the investigators that have baptisimal dates are progressing.
We do have a really great ward, though, and with the recent changes to the meal policy it looks like we're going to be fed a lot (we're technically split up between 4 wards, and guranteed dinner every wednesday by a part-member family).
My Bike is still running fine. I named it "Flux" because the English Zone Leaders we were living with kept calling me "Huffmaster Flux" while I was working on it. The front fender fell off, but that's a story for another time.
When Elder Jasperson and I were riding home from Albertson we talked into our hands like microphones as airline pilots. It was really fun and a great way to pass the 2 hour drive home (after getting lost in Albertson for an hour).
I love you all and am so thankful for your support! Keep writting me or the next email will be in Spanish!
To: Huffman, Lisa
Subject: New apartment smell!
Crazy crazy week.
A couple days ago we got our new apartment. Elder Jasperson and I aren't sleeping on the floor anymore! Woohoo! Our new apartment is huge. It has 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, and a giant living room. We turned the other bedroom into a "closet". They were able to get us most of the furniture we need. We have tables, desks, beds, and a couple lamps. Unfortunately, we don't have lightbulbs or chairs. We'll make it, though. We baught most of what we needed (like lightbulbs and candy).
Other than that not a lot has really happened, haha. I went on a couple exchanges since last Monday. The first was with Elder Pepinos and we stayed in Wilmington. The second was with Elder Meza in Albertson (Elder Loe's area).
It's always neet seeing what other areas/companions are like but I think most of it is too show me how great of an area and companion I have, haha. Everyone who comes to Wilmington says I don't know how lucky I have it. But it's hard. Hands down hard. It's been 3 weeks and we have 1 progressing investigator and neither of the investigators that have baptisimal dates are progressing.
We do have a really great ward, though, and with the recent changes to the meal policy it looks like we're going to be fed a lot (we're technically split up between 4 wards, and guranteed dinner every wednesday by a part-member family).
My Bike is still running fine. I named it "Flux" because the English Zone Leaders we were living with kept calling me "Huffmaster Flux" while I was working on it. The front fender fell off, but that's a story for another time.
When Elder Jasperson and I were riding home from Albertson we talked into our hands like microphones as airline pilots. It was really fun and a great way to pass the 2 hour drive home (after getting lost in Albertson for an hour).
I love you all and am so thankful for your support! Keep writting me or the next email will be in Spanish!
Missed one- last weeks letter
To: Huffman, Lisa
Subject: I feel like I'm still riding my bike when I'm sleeping!
Wow, what another great week! After I sent the last email we went golfing with a bunch of other missionaries for our P-Day. Afterwards we bought our grocceries and I spent $16 total and still have plenty of food, haha.
This week was crazy, to say the least, with a lot of ups and downs. Rosi, one of greastest investigators, is good friends with Cozme, who is probably one of the strongest members in our ward. He told us that she's been taking the lessons for a lot longer than we thought and she looks at them more like conversations than anything else. He told us that if she doesn't start keeping commitments or coming to church then we should drop her.
The day before that I was on an exchange with one of the Spanish AP's. It was Elder Espinosa (the person that trained Elder Jasperson so in missionary terms he's my "Grandpa"). He taught me a lot and pushed me to talk a lot more to the people we contacted. We contacted 3 drunk guys and they all said I looked like I was afraid of them, haha. Afterwards Elder Espinosa got a picture of them and us but one of the more sober ones left cause he thaught we were police.
I then went to teach Rosi with him and all that happened for an hour and a half was her husband Rolly argued with us (he's a devoted Atheist). Cozme told us Rosi believes all the same things her husband does and that she never keeps commitments, so we'll probably have to drop her.
Two of our investigators have baptisimal dates. Adali and Arcio. They both live together with a few other people in a small little trailer. They both took to what we were teaching very well and Elder Jasperson and Elder Holse (the other Spanish AP) read them 3Nephi 11 and they both had no doubts that it was wrong.
On Thursday I went on an exchange to Wallace (since my companion is District Leader.) I worked with Elder Wilson and he taught me a lot. It was wierd working in another area.
We gave the car back to the English missionaries so we rode our bikes all around Wilmington. It's a lot bigger on bike than it is on car.
President Cotterell had interviews for us in our area the other day. During my interview he said there is a good chance that I'll be in Wilmington for 6 months, and he told it to Elder Jasperson, too. He's an awesome person and he told us all that his focus for us is to develope us for the long run. Not to just become better missionaries but that we'll be prepared to be better parents and husbands. One way he's doing that is by having companions together longer and being in the same area longer.
He also changed the rule on meals so we're getting fed a lot more.
Today, Elder Jensen and Elder Robertson (the english missionaries we live with) had some one take them out for breakfast. He invited us too so we came along. His name was Daniel and he's a friend of a member that Elder Jensen became really good friends with in another area. He bought breakfast for us and then we went to his house for an hour and a half. He had a lot of questions and was really accepting to what we taught him. He's probably the most golden investigator that has ever existed, and on top of that he's the kind of person that you can become great friends with in the matter of seconds. He told us that he didn't want to take up all our time but we told him about what P-Day was and invited him to hang out with us while we did our chores. He came to the church and we played basketball (well, they played basketball, I watched). He went home but we all gave him an assignment to read from the Book of Mormon.
Other than all that, not much has happened. We're still teaching a lot and still going up and down trailer parks.
Don't forget to send me letters!
Subject: I feel like I'm still riding my bike when I'm sleeping!
Wow, what another great week! After I sent the last email we went golfing with a bunch of other missionaries for our P-Day. Afterwards we bought our grocceries and I spent $16 total and still have plenty of food, haha.
This week was crazy, to say the least, with a lot of ups and downs. Rosi, one of greastest investigators, is good friends with Cozme, who is probably one of the strongest members in our ward. He told us that she's been taking the lessons for a lot longer than we thought and she looks at them more like conversations than anything else. He told us that if she doesn't start keeping commitments or coming to church then we should drop her.
The day before that I was on an exchange with one of the Spanish AP's. It was Elder Espinosa (the person that trained Elder Jasperson so in missionary terms he's my "Grandpa"). He taught me a lot and pushed me to talk a lot more to the people we contacted. We contacted 3 drunk guys and they all said I looked like I was afraid of them, haha. Afterwards Elder Espinosa got a picture of them and us but one of the more sober ones left cause he thaught we were police.
I then went to teach Rosi with him and all that happened for an hour and a half was her husband Rolly argued with us (he's a devoted Atheist). Cozme told us Rosi believes all the same things her husband does and that she never keeps commitments, so we'll probably have to drop her.
Two of our investigators have baptisimal dates. Adali and Arcio. They both live together with a few other people in a small little trailer. They both took to what we were teaching very well and Elder Jasperson and Elder Holse (the other Spanish AP) read them 3Nephi 11 and they both had no doubts that it was wrong.
On Thursday I went on an exchange to Wallace (since my companion is District Leader.) I worked with Elder Wilson and he taught me a lot. It was wierd working in another area.
We gave the car back to the English missionaries so we rode our bikes all around Wilmington. It's a lot bigger on bike than it is on car.
President Cotterell had interviews for us in our area the other day. During my interview he said there is a good chance that I'll be in Wilmington for 6 months, and he told it to Elder Jasperson, too. He's an awesome person and he told us all that his focus for us is to develope us for the long run. Not to just become better missionaries but that we'll be prepared to be better parents and husbands. One way he's doing that is by having companions together longer and being in the same area longer.
He also changed the rule on meals so we're getting fed a lot more.
Today, Elder Jensen and Elder Robertson (the english missionaries we live with) had some one take them out for breakfast. He invited us too so we came along. His name was Daniel and he's a friend of a member that Elder Jensen became really good friends with in another area. He bought breakfast for us and then we went to his house for an hour and a half. He had a lot of questions and was really accepting to what we taught him. He's probably the most golden investigator that has ever existed, and on top of that he's the kind of person that you can become great friends with in the matter of seconds. He told us that he didn't want to take up all our time but we told him about what P-Day was and invited him to hang out with us while we did our chores. He came to the church and we played basketball (well, they played basketball, I watched). He went home but we all gave him an assignment to read from the Book of Mormon.
Other than all that, not much has happened. We're still teaching a lot and still going up and down trailer parks.
Don't forget to send me letters!
Friday, July 24, 2009
Monday, July 20, 2009
latest from Zach!!!
Sent: Monday, July 20, 2009 10:21 AM
To: Huffman, Lisa
Subject: Wow! What a week!
Wow, this week has been crazy! I guess it's been 2 weeks since my last email, but my last week at the MTC wasn't all that exciting.
The flight to NC was fun. There were 11 missionaries total on the flight. It was 4 hours from Salt Lake to Atlanta, and I talked to the guy next to me for most of the trip. Then from Atlanta to Raleigh was 2 hours and I talked to a really nice guy from Georgia.
When we got off the flight we met President and Sister Cotterell. They're really nice and I knew from the moment I saw them I'd love being with them. The assistants to the President were there, too, and they helped us load our luggage into the cars and drove us to the mission home.
Elder Espinosa was one of the Spanish Speaking assistants and he talked to us a lot about the area. He said he knew all the missionaries that were set apart to train us but he didn't know yet who would be paired with who. He said he trained one of them and said that that missionary was probably one of the best in the field. He then started telling us about the areas and how one of the areas was just being opened for Spanish work and that who ever gets sent there will have a lot of success.
We then got to the mission home and had dinner and President Cotterell pulled us all aside one by one and had our first interview. I got to know him a lot better in those few minutes and it got me pumped for the rest of my mission. We then wrote letters for home and then went to sleep on the basement floor of the mission home.
The next morning they cooked us breakfast and pulled us one by one again. President Cotterell told us who our companion would be and what area we'd be serving. I was the last to be called in. He told me I'd be serving in Wilmington, which was the area being opened to the Spanish Work that Elder Espinosa was talking about in the car. He then told me that my companion would be Elder Jasperson, which is also the same Elder that Espinosa trained, so I got both the best trainer and the most coveted area in all of NC!
After that they took us to the Mission Office (which I thought was the same as the mission home, but it's not). They gave us a brief orientation and the only thing I remember was them saying to stay away from the Recluse Spiders, haha. We then went back to the mission home to meet our companions. Elder Jasperson greeted me with a hug and I knew we'd be good friends. After some boring stuff we left to go to the church for our first Transfer meeting. I met me zone leaders, Elder Baker and Elder Pepinos there. Elder Baker is a real jolly guy with a big smile and Elder Pepinos stands about 5' 3" but his spirit is huge.
After the meeting I got to "meet" my bike. I haven't ridden it yet (Elder Jasperson's is still in his old area). Elder Baker then drove us to our area which is 4 hours from Raleigh. He got pulled over for speeding, haha.
Since we're opening the area we don't have many resources, including an apartment. We're staying with a couple English speaking elders (Elder Robertson and Elder Jensen) until August 1st. We're also using another companionship's car until we either get our own car or Elder Jasperson's bike.
Opening an area is really hard, though, and Elder Jasperson keeps telling me it's the hardest thing I'll do on my mission. That made me feel better because it's super hard, haha.
We go tracting all day because we don't have any scheduled appointments or an Area book to go by since there hasn't been Spanish missionaries for almost a year. We've met some really cool people but none have made a lot of progress. Other than that I'm just trying to figure things out, haha. Elder Jasperson is really good at helping me understand what I'm doing but I'm still trying to figure out how.
Not a whole lot else has happened. Since it's just tracting I can't really report on anything. Thanks for all your support and keep writing!
To: Huffman, Lisa
Subject: Wow! What a week!
Wow, this week has been crazy! I guess it's been 2 weeks since my last email, but my last week at the MTC wasn't all that exciting.
The flight to NC was fun. There were 11 missionaries total on the flight. It was 4 hours from Salt Lake to Atlanta, and I talked to the guy next to me for most of the trip. Then from Atlanta to Raleigh was 2 hours and I talked to a really nice guy from Georgia.
When we got off the flight we met President and Sister Cotterell. They're really nice and I knew from the moment I saw them I'd love being with them. The assistants to the President were there, too, and they helped us load our luggage into the cars and drove us to the mission home.
Elder Espinosa was one of the Spanish Speaking assistants and he talked to us a lot about the area. He said he knew all the missionaries that were set apart to train us but he didn't know yet who would be paired with who. He said he trained one of them and said that that missionary was probably one of the best in the field. He then started telling us about the areas and how one of the areas was just being opened for Spanish work and that who ever gets sent there will have a lot of success.
We then got to the mission home and had dinner and President Cotterell pulled us all aside one by one and had our first interview. I got to know him a lot better in those few minutes and it got me pumped for the rest of my mission. We then wrote letters for home and then went to sleep on the basement floor of the mission home.
The next morning they cooked us breakfast and pulled us one by one again. President Cotterell told us who our companion would be and what area we'd be serving. I was the last to be called in. He told me I'd be serving in Wilmington, which was the area being opened to the Spanish Work that Elder Espinosa was talking about in the car. He then told me that my companion would be Elder Jasperson, which is also the same Elder that Espinosa trained, so I got both the best trainer and the most coveted area in all of NC!
After that they took us to the Mission Office (which I thought was the same as the mission home, but it's not). They gave us a brief orientation and the only thing I remember was them saying to stay away from the Recluse Spiders, haha. We then went back to the mission home to meet our companions. Elder Jasperson greeted me with a hug and I knew we'd be good friends. After some boring stuff we left to go to the church for our first Transfer meeting. I met me zone leaders, Elder Baker and Elder Pepinos there. Elder Baker is a real jolly guy with a big smile and Elder Pepinos stands about 5' 3" but his spirit is huge.
After the meeting I got to "meet" my bike. I haven't ridden it yet (Elder Jasperson's is still in his old area). Elder Baker then drove us to our area which is 4 hours from Raleigh. He got pulled over for speeding, haha.
Since we're opening the area we don't have many resources, including an apartment. We're staying with a couple English speaking elders (Elder Robertson and Elder Jensen) until August 1st. We're also using another companionship's car until we either get our own car or Elder Jasperson's bike.
Opening an area is really hard, though, and Elder Jasperson keeps telling me it's the hardest thing I'll do on my mission. That made me feel better because it's super hard, haha.
We go tracting all day because we don't have any scheduled appointments or an Area book to go by since there hasn't been Spanish missionaries for almost a year. We've met some really cool people but none have made a lot of progress. Other than that I'm just trying to figure things out, haha. Elder Jasperson is really good at helping me understand what I'm doing but I'm still trying to figure out how.
Not a whole lot else has happened. Since it's just tracting I can't really report on anything. Thanks for all your support and keep writing!
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Monday, June 29, 2009
From: Zachary Huffman
Sent: Monday, June 29, 2009 2:57 PM
To: Huffman, Lisa
Subject: Sorry it's so late!
I had started writing at 7:40-ish but the computer kicked me off. None of the computers were working in the laundry room. So let's see if I can remember what I wrote!
This past week has been pretty cool and really weird. All the mission presidents came to the MTC for their training so they shut down 1M (the main building, but I only go there for meals.) The Mission Presidents were told to not interact with the missionaries since there is still a threat of Swine Flu going around. From what I understand not many of them followed that rule, haha.
Elder Parsons and Elder Loe got to meet our new mission president, but I wasn't there when they saw him. He told them he was very excited to meet me and he would try on Sunday. I never found him. Elder Parsons and Elder Loe said he was really awesome, though, so I can't wait to meet him in the field.
For the training seminars most of the 12 Apostles and First Presidency came to teach them. On Sunday, they had their sacrament meeting and Elder Parsons was able to sit through it because he was in the choir and Elder Hine and Elder Mcmurtry were there to help pass the sacrament.
Elder Hine said President Monson kept smiling and winking at him, haha.
Elder Loe and Elder Moss saw Elder Jeffery R Holland walking around. It's funny how if you're lucky you can just glance and see some one that powerful. Elder Holland talked at our Devotional (wich was moved from Tuesday to Friday.) He gave a really powerful talk and the last thing he said hit every one. "Welcome to the work of Angels".
I only have 2 more weeks until I enter the field. Rumors are going around that we'll get travel plans today, but we'll see. As of now the plans are that I'll be leaving the 13th of July. If they don't come today they'll come Friday (either way I'll have them before my next email)
It's crazy how fast time has flown since I got here, but everyone says it goes by a lot faster in the field.
Mí espoñol es muy bien. Pero, somos enseñado lección dos en espoñol esta semana. No me gusta lección dos pero es muy importante que aprendo. Mí compañero le gusta lección dos. Mí compañero es loco.
¡Les Amo mucho! No puedo esperar ir a el campo.
Sent: Monday, June 29, 2009 2:57 PM
To: Huffman, Lisa
Subject: Sorry it's so late!
I had started writing at 7:40-ish but the computer kicked me off. None of the computers were working in the laundry room. So let's see if I can remember what I wrote!
This past week has been pretty cool and really weird. All the mission presidents came to the MTC for their training so they shut down 1M (the main building, but I only go there for meals.) The Mission Presidents were told to not interact with the missionaries since there is still a threat of Swine Flu going around. From what I understand not many of them followed that rule, haha.
Elder Parsons and Elder Loe got to meet our new mission president, but I wasn't there when they saw him. He told them he was very excited to meet me and he would try on Sunday. I never found him. Elder Parsons and Elder Loe said he was really awesome, though, so I can't wait to meet him in the field.
For the training seminars most of the 12 Apostles and First Presidency came to teach them. On Sunday, they had their sacrament meeting and Elder Parsons was able to sit through it because he was in the choir and Elder Hine and Elder Mcmurtry were there to help pass the sacrament.
Elder Hine said President Monson kept smiling and winking at him, haha.
Elder Loe and Elder Moss saw Elder Jeffery R Holland walking around. It's funny how if you're lucky you can just glance and see some one that powerful. Elder Holland talked at our Devotional (wich was moved from Tuesday to Friday.) He gave a really powerful talk and the last thing he said hit every one. "Welcome to the work of Angels".
I only have 2 more weeks until I enter the field. Rumors are going around that we'll get travel plans today, but we'll see. As of now the plans are that I'll be leaving the 13th of July. If they don't come today they'll come Friday (either way I'll have them before my next email)
It's crazy how fast time has flown since I got here, but everyone says it goes by a lot faster in the field.
Mí espoñol es muy bien. Pero, somos enseñado lección dos en espoñol esta semana. No me gusta lección dos pero es muy importante que aprendo. Mí compañero le gusta lección dos. Mí compañero es loco.
¡Les Amo mucho! No puedo esperar ir a el campo.
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
I've been here for 4 weeks now. That's one month. That means I can officially go crazy! Woohoo!
Anyways, two districts left yesterday from our Zone. One of them had been held back for a couple weeks because of swine flu. Now, with those two districts gone, my district is the oldest! It's so weird because it feels like we've been here for so little, yet so long at the same time.
Last Tuesday was an awesome devotional. We're singing the prelude hymns like usual and watching the announcements they play before we begin. Usuall they show who's speaking but this time they hadn't. After our first prelude hymn the head of security comes up to the mic and says "I just want to remind everyone that if the Prophet or another General Authority walks in we are all supposed to stand up to show respect. That's only if."
Of course everyone started talking immediatly that the Prophet could be speaking tonight! In the middle of the second prelude hymn every one in the room stood up. I didn't see who it was but I knew it was some one important. After the hymns we all sat down and President Smith (the president of the MTC) said Elder David A. Bednar was our speaker. I was so excited and I was only 10 rows away from the pulpit! It's was an amazing talk.
He started off unlike anything I'd seen before. He called out two missionaries by name and gave them a personal message. After that he talked about recognizing the spirit's promptings. I wish you all could have been there to listen to it!
He also hinted that Elder Dallin H. Oaks might be coming for our next devotional. Guess I'll find out tomarrow!
Next week all the new Mission Presidents come in, which includes mine. I'll get a chance to meet them, so I'm really excited! Also, my teacher said 10 out of the 12 Apostles come for devotionals while they're here, and theres a good chance the Prophet will speak!
Aside from all that excitement, not much else is happening. They switched our District leader so it's no longer Elder Waite but Elder Hine. He's a goofball but of all of us he can get the work done.
Spanish is still coming. We're learning all the lesson in Spanish now, and for the past 4 days we've spoken mostly Spanish as a District. We're going to learn somthing soon that they say makes everything a lot easier. I guess we'll see!
Anyways, two districts left yesterday from our Zone. One of them had been held back for a couple weeks because of swine flu. Now, with those two districts gone, my district is the oldest! It's so weird because it feels like we've been here for so little, yet so long at the same time.
Last Tuesday was an awesome devotional. We're singing the prelude hymns like usual and watching the announcements they play before we begin. Usuall they show who's speaking but this time they hadn't. After our first prelude hymn the head of security comes up to the mic and says "I just want to remind everyone that if the Prophet or another General Authority walks in we are all supposed to stand up to show respect. That's only if."
Of course everyone started talking immediatly that the Prophet could be speaking tonight! In the middle of the second prelude hymn every one in the room stood up. I didn't see who it was but I knew it was some one important. After the hymns we all sat down and President Smith (the president of the MTC) said Elder David A. Bednar was our speaker. I was so excited and I was only 10 rows away from the pulpit! It's was an amazing talk.
He started off unlike anything I'd seen before. He called out two missionaries by name and gave them a personal message. After that he talked about recognizing the spirit's promptings. I wish you all could have been there to listen to it!
He also hinted that Elder Dallin H. Oaks might be coming for our next devotional. Guess I'll find out tomarrow!
Next week all the new Mission Presidents come in, which includes mine. I'll get a chance to meet them, so I'm really excited! Also, my teacher said 10 out of the 12 Apostles come for devotionals while they're here, and theres a good chance the Prophet will speak!
Aside from all that excitement, not much else is happening. They switched our District leader so it's no longer Elder Waite but Elder Hine. He's a goofball but of all of us he can get the work done.
Spanish is still coming. We're learning all the lesson in Spanish now, and for the past 4 days we've spoken mostly Spanish as a District. We're going to learn somthing soon that they say makes everything a lot easier. I guess we'll see!
Monday, June 1, 2009
Latest from Zach...
A couple days ago we had a breakout of influenza. It's spread across the whole MTC and they've counciled anyone who has any simptoms to stay in their room. Of course, it being allergy season EVERYONE has the simptoms...
...We got a new district in our zone last wednesday. It feels good not being the noobs anymore. The senior most district leaves in a couple days, and they say we'll get a new district after that, so we'll be the second most senior district (if that makes sence).
Since our Zone leaders are leaving, they had to appoint new ones. I had my fingers crossed it'd me Elder Waite and I but it was Elder Jones and Elder Lynn. As much as I wanted to be it, I'm glad those two were chosen. They're great missionaries and they always express how greatful they are to be here and with our district. We're arguably the best district in the entire MTC.
Last Wednesday we went to the RC center (referal center). It's where we make calls to people who orderd Book of Mormons or church videos. We call to make sure if they got it and then offer missionaries to visit. It was such a weird experience. I hadn't talked to anyone out side of the MTC in so long the idea of calling was mind boggling. I eventually got over it and made me first call. After much anticipation it rang. and rang. and rang. and rang. Eventually I got an anwsering maching.
"Few" I thought. "That wasn't so bad, lets go back to class." But we still had another hour. 9 more times I got answering machines. I was going for the record, 29 answering machines in a row. Then some one picked up. I said "Hi, I'm Zach from the chur..." and they hung up.
Other than that it's been a pretty boring week. 4 members from our district were told to stay in their rooms because they had Influenza symptoms, and technically they should have stayed in today but they were so bored they sudenly felt 100% better.
Tomarrow Elder Wirnly and Elder Musick leave. They're going to Guatemala for their mission, so they stuck them in this MTC to learn a little Spanish before they sent them to the Guatemala MTC for the other 6 weeks. They're really cool and I'm sad to see them both leave.
Sometime this month all the new Mission Presidents are coming for training. That includes my mission president. I'm really, really excited to meet him and his wife. Also, for training, all of the Apostles are coming, and I might even get a chance to meet the Prophet! (or at least be in the same room/next to the room that he's in.)
The Spanish is coming really, really fast. I learned one word, ONE WORD, and a whole new area of Spanish is now avaliable. I mentioned last week I had to write a talk for sacrament every week. I guess I should clarify I have to write a new talk every week on another subject in Spanish. The senior district gave me a hint that if I quote a really long scripture and a really long section in "Preach my Gospel" I don't actually have to say much, haha.
I've also started to study spanish on my own when we're not in class. I know, I'm already supposed to do that but usually I only reviewed what I had learned. The first day I studied by my self I learned how to say "Bullet" "Knife" "Fist" and "Fork" and also how to say "Shot" "Bullet Wound" "A Slash with a knife" and "punch". So as you can see, I'm really using my time wisely here!
I'm 1/3rd of my way through the MTC, but it feels like I've been here so much longer. The weird thing to think is I'm only 3 weeks in the 2 years, but at this pace It'll feel like I'll be home next week!
...We got a new district in our zone last wednesday. It feels good not being the noobs anymore. The senior most district leaves in a couple days, and they say we'll get a new district after that, so we'll be the second most senior district (if that makes sence).
Since our Zone leaders are leaving, they had to appoint new ones. I had my fingers crossed it'd me Elder Waite and I but it was Elder Jones and Elder Lynn. As much as I wanted to be it, I'm glad those two were chosen. They're great missionaries and they always express how greatful they are to be here and with our district. We're arguably the best district in the entire MTC.
Last Wednesday we went to the RC center (referal center). It's where we make calls to people who orderd Book of Mormons or church videos. We call to make sure if they got it and then offer missionaries to visit. It was such a weird experience. I hadn't talked to anyone out side of the MTC in so long the idea of calling was mind boggling. I eventually got over it and made me first call. After much anticipation it rang. and rang. and rang. and rang. Eventually I got an anwsering maching.
"Few" I thought. "That wasn't so bad, lets go back to class." But we still had another hour. 9 more times I got answering machines. I was going for the record, 29 answering machines in a row. Then some one picked up. I said "Hi, I'm Zach from the chur..." and they hung up.
Other than that it's been a pretty boring week. 4 members from our district were told to stay in their rooms because they had Influenza symptoms, and technically they should have stayed in today but they were so bored they sudenly felt 100% better.
Tomarrow Elder Wirnly and Elder Musick leave. They're going to Guatemala for their mission, so they stuck them in this MTC to learn a little Spanish before they sent them to the Guatemala MTC for the other 6 weeks. They're really cool and I'm sad to see them both leave.
Sometime this month all the new Mission Presidents are coming for training. That includes my mission president. I'm really, really excited to meet him and his wife. Also, for training, all of the Apostles are coming, and I might even get a chance to meet the Prophet! (or at least be in the same room/next to the room that he's in.)
The Spanish is coming really, really fast. I learned one word, ONE WORD, and a whole new area of Spanish is now avaliable. I mentioned last week I had to write a talk for sacrament every week. I guess I should clarify I have to write a new talk every week on another subject in Spanish. The senior district gave me a hint that if I quote a really long scripture and a really long section in "Preach my Gospel" I don't actually have to say much, haha.
I've also started to study spanish on my own when we're not in class. I know, I'm already supposed to do that but usually I only reviewed what I had learned. The first day I studied by my self I learned how to say "Bullet" "Knife" "Fist" and "Fork" and also how to say "Shot" "Bullet Wound" "A Slash with a knife" and "punch". So as you can see, I'm really using my time wisely here!
I'm 1/3rd of my way through the MTC, but it feels like I've been here so much longer. The weird thing to think is I'm only 3 weeks in the 2 years, but at this pace It'll feel like I'll be home next week!
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Easiest way to get mail to Zach
The easiest way to get mail to Zach while he is in the MTC is www.dearelder.com.
He likes snail mail too! The US mail gets delivered earlier in the day, he gets the Dear Elder mails around dinner time :)
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Letter from Zach 5/25/09
Hey Everyone! Second week has proven to be a thousand times better than the first week. Spanish is still coming extremely fast, and Elder Waite and I can hold conversations in it.
I have pictures that once I get printed at the book store I'll send them home.
Last Tuesday (our Devotional night) Elder Neunshwander from the 1st Quorom of the Seventy gave a talk. It was really, really good but the best part was after when our District gathered for a meeting. We all talked about what we learned, and it was a very spiritual experience.
Sundays are very different here than normal. At 7:30 we eat breakfast, then Branch council is for an hour (since Elder Waite is our district leader I just wait in the room next to it with Elder Kapetaua, a big Samoen guy that resembles a huge teddy bear). At 10 we have our priesthood meeting and a member of the Branch Presidency gives the lesson. Then we have 2 hours of Missionary directed Time (basically studying) until District Meeting which is mostly like Sundy School. Elder Waite conducts it and assignes lessons each week. Him and I gave it this week. After that is Lunch and then we have sacrament meeting. We're instructed to have a 5 minute talk ready each week because we don't know who talks until President Dean says at the pulpit. It has to be in Spanish, too.
After Sacrament it's MDT (Missionary Directed Time) until Dinner, so about 3 hours. Most missionaries walk around the Provo Temple grounds and take pictures, but elder Waite and I studied (we went last week).
After Dinner we have our fireside meeting. It's usually held in the Gym but they're resurfacing the floor so we had it in one of the massive gathering halls. There are so many missionaries it over flowed into the two other massive halls and into the cafeteria. After the fireside is "Film time". In those massive halls they show a church video.
Most days are jam packed with learning, so Sunday is a relaxing change of pace. We can study what we want, and not have to worry about getting to our next class.
In one of our District meetings President Dean said "Now is the time to become who you will become."
At the time it struck me really deep but I'm still only beginning to understand exactly what he ment.
I have pictures that once I get printed at the book store I'll send them home.
Last Tuesday (our Devotional night) Elder Neunshwander from the 1st Quorom of the Seventy gave a talk. It was really, really good but the best part was after when our District gathered for a meeting. We all talked about what we learned, and it was a very spiritual experience.
Sundays are very different here than normal. At 7:30 we eat breakfast, then Branch council is for an hour (since Elder Waite is our district leader I just wait in the room next to it with Elder Kapetaua, a big Samoen guy that resembles a huge teddy bear). At 10 we have our priesthood meeting and a member of the Branch Presidency gives the lesson. Then we have 2 hours of Missionary directed Time (basically studying) until District Meeting which is mostly like Sundy School. Elder Waite conducts it and assignes lessons each week. Him and I gave it this week. After that is Lunch and then we have sacrament meeting. We're instructed to have a 5 minute talk ready each week because we don't know who talks until President Dean says at the pulpit. It has to be in Spanish, too.
After Sacrament it's MDT (Missionary Directed Time) until Dinner, so about 3 hours. Most missionaries walk around the Provo Temple grounds and take pictures, but elder Waite and I studied (we went last week).
After Dinner we have our fireside meeting. It's usually held in the Gym but they're resurfacing the floor so we had it in one of the massive gathering halls. There are so many missionaries it over flowed into the two other massive halls and into the cafeteria. After the fireside is "Film time". In those massive halls they show a church video.
Most days are jam packed with learning, so Sunday is a relaxing change of pace. We can study what we want, and not have to worry about getting to our next class.
In one of our District meetings President Dean said "Now is the time to become who you will become."
At the time it struck me really deep but I'm still only beginning to understand exactly what he ment.
Monday, May 18, 2009
Email from Zach:
Hola familia! It's been an awesome week at the MTC. After the orientation we dove right into everything. I got my room and picked up my luggage. There are 4 Elders in one room, and the other three I room with are awesome people.
I know you're dieing to know who my companion is, so I'll tell you about my other room mates first. Elder Loe is from St. George, UT. He's a big guy with a big heart, and with the worst accent I've ever heard he says "I don't have a southern drawl". He is also serving in the NC Raleigh Spanish speaking mission.
His companion is Elder Parsons. He's from Portland Oregon. He's is the funny half of identical twins. He is serving in NC Raleigh spanish speaking, also. I don't know where his twin is serving (but it's Spanish speaking).
All the Elders and sisters are split up into different Branches (or zones, which i'll be calling them from here on) and then smaller divisions of the zones are called districts. There are 12 Elders in our district, so we call our selves the "Dirty Dozen". My companion was made district leader, but I'll talk abut him later.
I've really connected with the other Elders in our district. They all have strong spirits and amazing testamonies. I'm lucky to have been able to be with all of them.
My companion is a really cool guy, but not talking about him yet.
The first thing we did when we woke up the first day was learn spanish. It was weird having class before eating, but thats the MTC! Dinner is at 4:30, which is so weird for me, but easy for my companion since from where he comes from dinner is lunch and supper is dinner.
After our first day we could already pray and bear our testimonies in Spanish. That's how much I've learned.
Ok, about my companion. His name is Elder Waite and he's from Peru, Indiana and serving in the Long Beach, CA spanish speaking mission. He's really awesome and has a huge impact on every one when he walks into the room. His testimony blows me away every time I hear it. I couldn't have asked for a better companion.
Our zones leaders are also great people. Elder Kunde is a great leader and knows how to comfort people. He's helped me come to terms with my difficulties in learning the language. His companion is Elder Bergland. He's a really smart person with a lot of concern for all of us.
-Elder Huffman
I know you're dieing to know who my companion is, so I'll tell you about my other room mates first. Elder Loe is from St. George, UT. He's a big guy with a big heart, and with the worst accent I've ever heard he says "I don't have a southern drawl". He is also serving in the NC Raleigh Spanish speaking mission.
His companion is Elder Parsons. He's from Portland Oregon. He's is the funny half of identical twins. He is serving in NC Raleigh spanish speaking, also. I don't know where his twin is serving (but it's Spanish speaking).
All the Elders and sisters are split up into different Branches (or zones, which i'll be calling them from here on) and then smaller divisions of the zones are called districts. There are 12 Elders in our district, so we call our selves the "Dirty Dozen". My companion was made district leader, but I'll talk abut him later.
I've really connected with the other Elders in our district. They all have strong spirits and amazing testamonies. I'm lucky to have been able to be with all of them.
My companion is a really cool guy, but not talking about him yet.
The first thing we did when we woke up the first day was learn spanish. It was weird having class before eating, but thats the MTC! Dinner is at 4:30, which is so weird for me, but easy for my companion since from where he comes from dinner is lunch and supper is dinner.
After our first day we could already pray and bear our testimonies in Spanish. That's how much I've learned.
Ok, about my companion. His name is Elder Waite and he's from Peru, Indiana and serving in the Long Beach, CA spanish speaking mission. He's really awesome and has a huge impact on every one when he walks into the room. His testimony blows me away every time I hear it. I couldn't have asked for a better companion.
Our zones leaders are also great people. Elder Kunde is a great leader and knows how to comfort people. He's helped me come to terms with my difficulties in learning the language. His companion is Elder Bergland. He's a really smart person with a lot of concern for all of us.
-Elder Huffman
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