Tuesday, April 24, 2012

MTC Week 1 - April 24, 2012


Oi!

What's up family! So grateful for the letters you all sent me this past week. It means a lot, and it is super nice to get them, not gonna lie. Dear Elder is probably the best option, cause we get those twice a day, and I can only check my email on Tuesday's which is my P-day. And no, I didn't get those cookies you sent. But i guess it's the thought that counts? haha but if you'd like to send me some then i'd really appreciate it! I seem to get hungry right before dinner.

Ok, so MTC= UNREAL. I honestly love it so much. I kinda went into it not knowing what to expect, especially because people have been telling me that it's the worst. But Wednesday I had a good attitude, and that's continued. I've found that attitude is a big thing, there are some Elder's in my district that are really struggling. I think it's because they don't have a positive attitude. So hopefully they can start to feel good about this place and start working hard. Another thing that I've found out is that if you are always diligent, then you won't find yourself thinking about home, friends, outside world, etc. And i"ve been pretty good at that. I've done good at not wasting time, because one thing they really stress here is that not only are you wasting your time and your companions time, but you are also wasting the Lord's time. And thats not happening.

My district is pretty cool. We all get along fairly well, except there is one companionship that isn't very diligent so we try to be examples to them. Hopefully it works out. My companion is really cool as well. It's amazing how well you can get to know someone after spending every moment with the for 6 days. We don't have very much in common i guess, but we get along really well and we're becoming good friends. Our goal this week is to be 100% obedient and be at everyplace that we need to be, on time every time. And to not bend the rules even a little bit. So i'm grateful for a companion that wants to do that with me. 

So yep I did run into Elder Wilkes! I've seen him quite a bit and after the fireside on Sunday we were able to catch up and talk for a while during the Joseph Smith movie. (We did feel bad for talking, but we had to catch up, and everyone was talking. It won't happen again). His mom also sent me a package! She sent brownies, cookies, and all sorts of stuff. Too bad my family didn't send me a package. haha kidding. I'll probably get the cookies soon?
The language is getting better everyday. They tell us to focus on the doctrine, and then the language will come. And I can already see that happening. Yesterday, while teaching an investigator, I was able to look him in the eyes and share my testimony with him. All in Portuguese! So crazy. i didn't have to look at any notes or books or anything. So that was cool, and gave me a lot of confidence in the language. We're also able to pray in Portuguese, but there are still some things we have to say in English in our prayers. Plus, I am able to understand what people are saying in Portuguese just by listening to them. I never thought I'd learn this much, this fast. But it's so sweet.
The fireside here on Sunday was super cool as well! Stephan B. Allen came and spoke and talked about our purpose and why we are here. There was great music as well. Music is a big part of feeling the Spirit here. It's pretty cool.

Sounds like everything at home is going good! Andrew better keep doing work at ball, and I hope Nick does good in his play! You'll have to give Morgan a hug for me!

I'm still trying to figure out how to do pictures on the computer, so hopefully I can figure that out soon. Mom, did you get the mailing box address in the letter i sent? i hope. Well looks like I'm out of time. We're going to the Temple now :). 

Talk to ya soon!
 
Love, 

Elder Williams

Saturday, April 21, 2012

April 21, 2012


Ola'

Family, 

     What's up!  Sorry I have bad handwriting, and not a not of time to write so sorry if this is kinda difficult to read. But our Branch President made us promise to write our family tonight, so this is just keeping all of the mission rules. 
     So it's been a crazy past couple of days! So when we got here, we went in to get our name tags and picture taken.  That was a cool thing to be able to put that missionary tag on that says "ELDER WILLIAMS". But it still hard to believe I'm a missionary.  So after the pictures, I went to my classroom to meet my companion and district.  Our teacher served in Brazil and didn't spam any English to us the first day.  It was crazy.  My companion is ELDER PORTER from Preston, Idaho.  He's a short guy, and a wrestler so I guess I can kinda relate to him because we both like sports.  But he's obsessed with farming, so that's something we don't have in common.  There are 8 missionaries in my district: me, Elder Porter, Elder Montgomery (from Gilbert, AZ), Elder Castleton, Elder Smith (Alaska), Elder Lake, Elder Merkley, and Elder Bigelow.  Elder Merkley, Castleton, and Montgomery are going to Angola and the other five of us are going to Mozambique. 
     So last night at my first meal here, I'm eating with my companion and up walks Elder Shane Sorenson! It was good to be able to see and talk to him.  Then later in the meal up runs Elder Cade Wilkes!! So glad to see him.  We have each other a huge hug and talked for about 15 minutes.  Seeing him really helped settle me down and make me feel a lot better.  I didn't see him today, so hopefully I'll get a chance to see him again while we're both here.  
     Today, was awesome. It's amazing how much portuguese you can learn while sitting in a classroom for 5 hours.  Tomorrow me and Elder Porter are giving a 40 minute lesson, all in Portuguese.  So it should be interesting… But tonight we were able to say part of our prayers in Portuguese! So that's pretty cool.  It's coming along for sure! 
     You'll have to tell Brittany and Tiffany that Elder Archuleta sang here on Sunday night, I guess it was really good.  I bet they'll like hearing about that. 
     So gym here is a joke. I've never been closer to being Michael Jordan in my life.  And people think I'm pretty much an Olympic volleyball player. That's how un-athletic people are here.  Haha!
     But in all seriousness I really do love it here! We've grown so much as missionaries just in a day and half and I can't wait to get better everyday.  The spirit here is UNREAL. And I'm having a lot of fun as well.  The Elders in my district are awesome.  Well, I better say goodnight, my preparation day is Tuesday, so expect an email or something.  If your lucky, you'll get a few pictures.  ;-)

Much Love, 

Elder Williams

PS. Mom, the people said I didn't need another shot because I got the one that was Hepatitis A and B combined. Are they wrong?   Let me know… thx. 

Wednesday, April 18, 2012

A few pictures of Goodbye... and sadness...




Enters the Provo MTC



Today at 1:10pm, Elder Williams entered the MTC with bright smiles and eager to serve. There were a few tears shed at home and on the drive but once we were close to the MTC he was eager to go. Over the next two years we will keep this blog active with notes, letters, photos, and updates to his addresses. Currently his addresses include:

(MTC
Elder Zachary Williams
MTC Mailbox #134
MOZ-MAP 0620
Provo MTC
2005 North 900 East
Provo, UT 84604

Letters can also be sent via DearElder.com