March 25, 2011

I LOVE TEMPLE FOOD!!!

Don't worry, mother! I'm getting EVERYONE'S DearElders! Hahaha! I want to thank everyone for all the letters I got this last week... It was extremely uplifting to look in the mailbox and see a letter consistently every single day! How are all of you?? How's everything coming?

Time here at the MTC has flown by like nothing else... It's incredible to me that we've been here for three weeks and two days. Just six more to go! So, about my weight... I've weighed a consistent 190lbs for the past week. Everything is going to the right places it seems, and it helps that the MTC has unlimited chocolate milk whenvever you want it! Chocolate milk is the greatest drink on this planet. I drink at least 8 cups a day... Good protein stuff. Ha.

I had a weekly interview last week w/ Hermano Maxwell. He's such a great guy, still in missionary mode because he came back from the mission only six months ago. He's very dedicated, and cares a lot about what we do. We spoke about my progress, and he told me that I have the potential of becoming the strongest missionary/person he has ever met. This meant a lot, coming from him. It's all about becoming that Celestial Missionary I've spoken about before.. I love going to the Temple. It's such an incredible place to grow spiritually. Our temple walks are always great, and I love P-Days, because we get to go to the temple every morning, and that means TEMPLE FOOD! They have the BEST Belgian Waffles... Aw. I'd better stop talking about food.

I began marking my spanish scriptures w/ all my chosen scriptures that pertain to the lessons in PMG (Preach My Gospel). It's a big process, but I love doing it! It also helps me come to know the scriptures more, which is essential for me in becoming the best missionary I can possibly be.

I want you all to listen, and read what I'm about to write very carefully. Read it over a few times, and tell me how you feel. This is something I wrote in my journal on the 20th... The District that has Elders G., W., P. etc left on Monday for the field. We sang God be with You Till We Meet Again en Espanol to them. Then they had the opportunity to bear their testimonies after. They are all like older brothers to me... I have looked up to them in more ways than one the first three weeks in being here. It goes to show what being the right person, teaching by example, and following the gospel of Jesucristo really does for each of us... This is what I wrote in my journal:

This Gospel is TRUE. The work WILL go forth. If not by me, than by the wonderful Elders who have gone before me. Elders W., P., G., J., & S.. The nametag I wear has two names. I will FORGET the top one (my name). IT IS THE NAME OF JESUCRISTO - JESUS CHRIST THAT I HOLD. THAT I WEAR. THAT I AM. He IS my Savior. Those Elders have set an example I could never match. Tonight was the Testimony Meeting in which we sang to them... I am a DISCIPLE AND FOLLOWER of JESUS CHRIST. HE LIVES. HE HAS CHOSEN ME TO SHARE HIS EVERLASTING GOSPEL. I Will NOT disobey. What E'er thou art, Act well thy part. The Gospel is true. I love my SAVIOR. I know w/out a shadow of a doubt, that He LIVES and He loves me. The name I wear on my heart, that badge that bears the emblem to die for, is the name I will forever serve...

What a testimony those Elders gave me. I know through this experience, that I hate goodbyes. I HATE goodbyes. They are like brothers to me. Their examples are ones I will never forget. I got pictures of them, don't worry. It's amazing how 3 weeks in the MTC can make relationships stronger than some people have in years. It's because of the Gospel that it is centered around. I've grown so much. How else could I now speak Spanish fluently enough to teach the first lesson w/ my companion completely in Espanol?

One funny thing... We were teaching one of our Investigators, and I wanted to ask what his feelings were about the scripture we had just read. In spanish, feelings = sentimientos. Instead, I said = sufrirmientos, which means sufferings... "Tomas... What are your sufferings about this scripture? Hahahaha! I laughed about that for a long time!

Alma 17: 2-3 WHAT STUDS. I gained a stronger testimony on studying the scriptures after I read that scripture.

Something I made up, that I plan to add to...

For without the Savior,

I could not be.

But through him,

I live for ETERNITY.

Hermano Douglas, my favorite teacher, interviewed me last night. We spoke of so many things. He told our District we have the potential to be fluent, completely, by the time we leave the MTC on May 02. I believe this to be true. Also, he told me that he respects me, and loves me. He's such an incredible example. I look up to him more than I look up to anyone else here. His example is one of knowledge of the scriptures, setting the best example for all missionaries, and loving each and every one of us, genuinely. A lot of the things he told me I will keep to myself. Know that we are successful here, that the Spirit touches each and every one of us, and that through the Spirit, we are becoming STRIPLING WARRIORS in the Gospel. I am proud of this.

Yo se que el Evangelio de Jesucristo es verdadero! Estoy mucho agradecido por la CCM, y por mi Distrito. Yo se que estoy aqui por un (reason). Y por media de seguimiente el Evangelio, soy mucho felicidad, y fuerce.

Nos Amo!! I love you all! I pray for all of you, day and night. At every meal time, before every class. The Church is true. Thank you all for taking the time to read these letters, and send me letters in return. Let's keep it up! Hahaha! You're all such an example to me. Dani, Aubrey, Kim, Christ, Jared, Melyn, Mom, Dad, Gma, Gpa, Omi, Buppi, Allie, and ALL the others. I love you all. Stay strong. It's a good time to be alive. :)

ELDER J. Cuthbert 

March 18, 2011

Hello Everyone!!

Como le va? Estoy MUY agredecido por la oportunidad escribir para ustedes hoy! Ha, I've had such a great week! I completely forgot my journal, so I'm going to try and remember to write everything I need to from memory,... Please forgive me if it's not as long as usual! :/

Spanish is coming along well. Yesterday we had to teach an "Investigator" named Tomas. We were pushed in w/ a class that has been here for 8 weeks! So needless to say, we were all feeling like fish out of water compared w/ their Spanish. But as the lesson progressed, Tomas looked at me, which means he wants me to say something. And something strange happened. Every word I needed to say in Espanol, came to me! It was crazy! I bore my testimony completely in Espanol, testifying of the Spirit World, the Word of Wisdom, and how obeying the commandments will make his life happier than it is now. It was insane. Afterwards, all the Elders and Hermanas from the older class came and congratuated me on my testimony, saying it was: "Muy fuerte, y yo sentio el Espiritu Santo mucho!" It was kind of cool. It meant so much to me, because earlier that day, I was having a hard time. Elder W. and I were teaching the first lesson in as much simplicity as we could muster. When he mentioned something completely off topic, and the people we were teaching asked what it was, he could explain it. I obviously couldn't leave it hanging there, so I went in to the conversation to save the lesson, and afterwards, my teacher, H. Maxwell told me: You shouldn't have mentioned Christ being the keystone of the religion. It takes too long to explain. I couldn't explain to him that Elder W. had mentioned it, but couldn't explain it, but it didn't matter... It was very frustrating.

We went to the temple last week, and this week... I won't tell you which day we have our temple walks and which days we go do sessions, because as much as I would like to see everyone, I think it would be tough not to give everyone hugs and stuff... Anyways, we went to the temple as a Zone, and it was one of the best experiences, thus far, on my mission. We had so much fun taking pictures, talking, and just being fun, happy missionaries. I got plenty of pictures, there's a computer thing here at the bookstore that can convert all your pictures to a cd, so I'll put them all on there and send that to you guys. Needless to say, everyone loves everyone. I have so many friends in the Zone. We are all really close. Many of them set such a good example for and my District.

It's amazing at how fast this week has gone. It seems like yesterday I was getting out of the car and giving everyone my last goodbyes... Time flies here at the MTC. Never is there a minute to yourself. We plan our days out to the second. I love it that way. It makes the days go quickly and the weeks go by even faster. 2 1/2 weeks down, 6 1/2 more to go!! Ha. OH AND PS... I'M NOT GETTING ANY LETTERS... Come on guys! I'm District Leader! I'm the one who gets to open the mailbox every day! And never is there anything for me... Hahaha! It's all good, I would just encourage you all to write... You don't know how nice it is to see something w/ your name on it at the MTC. Little bits of home... Another thing... When am I ever going to get Aub's address??? She's given me all these delicious treats, and I can't even thank her!! You're slackin' guys! Ha. Remember, DearElder is an instantaneous thing... You can write me WHENEVER you want with DearElder. If you write it before noon, they deliver it the same day. It's so simple to send a DearElder.. Ha. So PLEASE get me Aubs address so I can thank her and her family for all the kindness and love. How's the backpack search coming along? Has Jared gone looking at all? Remember, all black. It can have some grey in it, or whatever.. But it has to be black.

How is everything at home? No one's telling me anything, so I've got no clue. What's happening in everyone's lives? How's the house coming? TELL ME!! Ha. The lessons are coming along well, Elder W. and I are beginning to act like a team when it comes to teaching together. It's hard at first, but we're getting the hang of it. We taught the first lesson on Wednesday to a guy named "Sera". Probably the coolest "Investigator" I've ever met. Such a stud.

I'm feeling the Spirit all the time here.. It's incredible. As a District, we decided we want to sing How Great Thou Art in Espanol (Grand Eres Tu) to the other Districts in our Zone in A Capella. It's been a struggle, since we have a few tone-deaf Elders in our District... ;) Also, two of the Hermanas in my District asked me to audition w/ them in doing Nearer My God to Thee for one of the Sunday meetings w/ all the missionary's at the MTC. I had to learn how to play Near My God to Thee w/ broken cords in just a couple hours before auditions started! But it went perfectly! Hopefully we get the chance to perform for the MTC... That would be an incredible experience. I'm so grateful you kept me going w/ piano all those years ago, mom... It's been such a blessing in my life. And a blessing I give in the lives of others. I love bringing the Spirit through music. It's... Ah, it just makes me happy. :) Please tell me how everyone is doing, including yourselves. Handwritten letters, DearElder, packages... Whateva your heart desires! I look forward to all of it.

Oh and btw... I've gained 15 lbs while being here... in Just 2 1/2 weeks!!!! It's ok though, because it's not fat weight... I don't think. Ha! I've been doing pull ups, sit ups, push ups, etc every morning, night and afternoon, so it's going to the places it needs to be. I went to the MTC at 174lbs, I'm now 188lbs. Hahaha. It's hilarious how many people come to stare at the pull up bar. It's slightly awkward, even. Oh, and I almost broke my right middle and ring finger playing volleyball. Haha. They're swollen... Badly. But it's ok. I got my first haircut at the MTC today... I'm actually surprised, the guy did a really good job. Although he still has nothin' on you, Dixie! Haha!

Well... I don't know what else to say since I don't have my journal with me to help me remember everything. All the days are a blur here because you do the exact same thing pretty much every day. I did see Elder Carter yesterday and today.. He got here on Wednesday, looks like he's doing good. :) I wish I could remember more things that happened. This really is the best experience for my life right now. I can't tell you how much fun I'm having. I'm still waiting for the day that I hate it here, and want to come home. Right now, I'm loving serving the Lord, and love waking up at 5:30 to do my morning workout and get the best shower before everyone else wakes up at 6:30.. ;) This experience is going to help me in so many ways when I get back. I'm learning so much about discipline and hard work, and although at times it can be hard to study for 4 hours straight... I know it's only there to help me.

Testifico que yo se la iglesia de Jesucristo de los Santos de los Ultimos dias es la iglesia de Dios!!!!!

I love you all, I miss you all, I pray for you all, You all mean so much to me. Keep me in your prayers, You're in mine.

March 11, 2011

I FOUND THE PILLOW ROOM!!!

 

It is amazing. It's right across from my dorm, haha! It's a room that is, no joke, full to the ceiling w/ pillows. It's an amazing sight to behold! I will find a way to take a picture inside it... They lock it, so that can be a problem, ha. Well hello mi familia!! Como estan? Estoy muy agredecido por la oportunidad a escribir ustedes! Hope that was right... Ha, well I think I left off on Saturday on my last email. Sunday was a great day. It's a day of many meetings, intervies, hard seats, and feeling the Spirit. I'm District Leader, which means I'm in charge of my District which consists of all those I mentioned last time. I have to conduct interviews w/ all the Elders in my District, and make sure I am surving them well. It's a great calling, and I am very grateful for the opportunity to serve.

 

Thank you so much for the package! The letter Jared wrote to me, and the one that you wrote to me were very appreciated. :) Thank you SO MUCH for the Patriarchal Blessing copy... I read it the night I got it. Oh, by the way... We're not allowed to have gum here, it isn't very professional. So if you want to send me gum, just send mints instead. I can always use mints!! Two more things.. I don't think my backpack is going to work. It is very narrow, and is very frustrating to try and wrestle my many language books and binders in there. I wrote a letter to Jared asking him to buy me a new one. I would like a black one, preferably a Nike, Nike 6.0 or something like that... Just give him the money from my bank account to do it. I know he'll pick one I like. I hope so, anyway.. Ha, no pressure, Jared. ;) Also, I need a watch. I can't believe I never got one. I need one that also gives the date. I want a chronograph one... Not digital, but it's really not my choice anymore, is it? Ha, a Fossil would be nice.. Like I said before, just take it out of my bank account.

 

Always write back from DearElder. They receive and give us the mail, same-day. It is very convenient. Also, I don't know Aubs, and Chris' addresses... This makes it very difficult to write Aub and Fam a thank you letter for all of the treats they've been sending me!! It's so frustrating! If you could get those to me, I would much appreciate it! Also, are you forwarding my emails to my friends as well? Dani, Kim, Aubs, etc.? I really want them to have a copy.

 

Anyway, on the 8th, Elder M. was having a bad day. He was feeling uncomfortable, and doubting his reasons for being here. We gave him a blessing that morning in his dorm, the Spirit was so strong... I love being worthy to exercise my priesthood authority in that way. We also have had the opportunity to teach the 1st lesson to a couple people. The first time was incredibly tough. You don't realize how hard it is to teach someone until you actually try it... And what I thought I knew about teaching, the scriptures, PMG, etc... I didn't. Ha, I've learned so much this past week. The days have flown by for me. Everyone says differently, that the days are dragging by, and they can't wait for them to end. I say differently. It definitely has to do w/ getting lost in the work.

 

We as a District have all taken turns to tell our love lives during lunch... It's been the most entertaining experience! Our District has grown so close together lately. We all love one another, and are very comfortable with helping everyone out with all our problems.

 

The language is coming along well. I can pray in spanish, along with bearing my testimony and speaking in broken spanish during all meals. That's another thing! The meals... You are allowed to eat as much as you want, buffet style. This can  be a good thing because they do have a lot of healthy, good things to eat. I drink 2 glasses of chocolate milk a day, along with at least 4,000 calories of food a day. I'm not getting fat, don't worry!!! If anything, I'm getting more muscle because I've been making a conscious effort to do my pull ups and push ups every morning and night. Every night people just gather by the pull up bar as I do my work out... It's kind of awkward. You'd be surprised at how many "weak" Elders there are here! some can't even do one. They're completely amazed that I can do 20+ pull ups constantly. Like I said... I have to beat that record! People keep asking "what I do." I say, I don't understand. They say "P90X, or... stuff?" Oh! P90X!! Ha. One of the Elders, E. G. comes up to me and says... "You're physique is just... Godlike!!!" HAHAHAHAHA! If only...

 

So here comes the funniest thing that has ever happened to me... Ever. It's the result of 3 days of CONSTANT laughter. Elder M. goes to the bathroom a few days ago. When he comes out, he beckons to E. G.. E. G. comes over and E. M. says... "I'm bleeding from my butt hole..." E. G. bursts out laughing!! They go to the clinic and E. M. gets checked out. He comes back out smiling and says: "Don't worry, it's only Hemorrhoids!!!" He seemed to think that was a good thing!! Then, seeing a couple new Elders who arrived there that day, he goes up to them and says: "Hey! Where are you guys going?"

"North Dakota, where are you going?"
"Argentina! Be careful where you sit!"

"Why?"

"Because you'll get Hemorrhoids! I have them... Right NOW!" Needless to say, he scared them away pretty quickly! He's been telling people everywhere, and w/out fail, I laugh harder than I've laughed in a long time! I'd rather not mention the kind of medicine he has to use, and how to apply it... BLEGH.

 

Ha, today is P-Day, the only day I'm allowed to write emails, which is why DearElder works the best, because I can receive letters whenever. But we went to the temple this morning, and it was great. The cafeteria food there is incredible. When we got outside, the fountain was going, the sun was shining, there were no clouds in the sky... It was beautiful. I am so regretting not bringing my camera. That is something I will for sure do next Friday. I love it here, you guys... Every day is a new experience, every day I learn something new. I feel the Spirit constantly, and love doing what I'm doing. I go to bed exhausted, and wake up at 6:00 ready to begin again! I'm so thankful for everything that's happened... Continue to send letters and packages, you don't know how grateful and lucky I feel, not to mention how much I appreciate it.

 

Testifico a las palabras en el Libro de Mormon es verdadero. Yo se que Jose Smith fue un profeta de Dios. Yo se que nosotros recibimos bendices cuando nosotros (do what) es justo. Yo se que Jesucristo es el hijo de Dios. Dice las cosas en el nombre de Jesucristo... Amen. :)

 

Love you all, I miss you all, I pray for you all, You all mean so much to me. Keep me in your prayers, I am doing my best to be positive 24/7, but prayers always help.

 

Love, E. Cuthbert

3/2/2011, MTC day!!

March 4, 2011

Hola mi familia!!!

WOW. I can't believe all that's been happening... These past few days have been going by SO fast. It's hard to believe that it's Saturday already. I guess I'll begin w/ Wednesday, what happened, and what my thoughts were.

I went w/ the host missionaries to my room. I dropped all of my suitcases and then went w/ them to my classroom. The classroom is where we spend around 9 hours a day. It's basically our home. There, I met my TWO companions; Elder M. and Elder W. Elder M.'s parents were mission presidents in Brazil a few years ago, so he had lived there for about three years. Obviously, he already knew Portugese, so the Spanish came very easy for him. Elder W. on the other hand is more like me. Took a few years but forgot a lot of what he had previously learned. We had a tour of the MTC or (CCM en espanol), we participated in teaching some investigators on our first night!! Before any of that happened, we had a large group meeting w/ all the new missionaries who had come to the MTC that day. The mission president and his assistants introduced themselves, we sang about cinco himnos, and listened to about seis talks. I can tell you now that I've never felt the Spirit more strongly than when we sing hymns. Every single hymn sent a new wave of overwhelming love and compassion over me.

After the first days activities, we went up to our dorm and proceeded to unpack. Elder M. was told not to unpack all of his things because they weren't sure he'd be staying w/ Elder W. and me. This was because of his experience in the language, and he wanted to be moved to the intermediate class, which teaches everything in complete spanish. No English. The first night was pretty difficult to get to sleep. But I finally did, had dreams of home, best friends and family. We are supposed to get up at 6:30 for showers and to get ready for personal study, I decided I was going to make it a goal to wake up at 6:00, to have more time to take a shower and do other things. The showers are crazy. Most of them are those really small dorm type showers with temperature handles that don't tell you anything about what temperature the water is going to be. At times it's hot, at times it's cold. It keeps you "on your toes", Haha. You learn to take quick showers this way. After that we get ready, go to the classroom, study by ourselves for a half hour then go have breakfast. The food is definitely cafeteria food. Although it's not bad, it's definitely not good. They have plenty of apples and grapes for every meal, so I've made it a goal to eat at least one every time I go into the cafeteria. After that, it's usually classroom time with our teachers, Hermano Maxwell y Hermano Douglas. They are both incredible teachers. This classroom time usually lasts up to FOUR HOURS!!! Ha, w/out the waterbreaks that they give us, it would be incredibly hard to concentrate.

If I'm not making sense, it's because we only have a certain amount of time to write emails. Exactly a half hour to be exact. I'm trying to remember everything that's happened these past few days so you all aren't mad at me when I haven't told you everything! After class it's lunch time. We've made it a goal to speak completely in Spanish during lunch, which is definitely difficult. None of us can remember nouns, or verbs, or anything in the Spanish language, ha, it can be very frustrating.

On Thursday, our Branch Presidency came and visited with us. They are great men, whom I look up to. They called me to be the District Leader. You might think this might entail some great responsibility to help my leadership skills grow... But all I get to do, so far, is get the mail. WHICH IS GREAT!!! Ha, I'm the only one allowed to go get mail, no one else can come into the mailroom, except to get packages. I got a letter from Dani on Thursday, which brightened my day immensely. And today I got a package from Aubs. I don't know what's inside it, but I think I might have an idea. Thank you Dani and Aubrey!! I will write to you both either today or tomorrow, so expect something in the mail by Monday or Tuesday!

Now, onto my companions. Elder M. was a very good kid. And, sadly, after three days of being together, he was exchanged to be in the intermediate district... It really was a very strange thing with him not being around. It felt like there was something missing. Elder W... Wow. Dani will be able to confirm this, because when I was talking to her about what my companions would be, she said the first one would get along with me great, we'd have fun and be happy! She then predicted my next companion would be a struggle. I can tell you right now that is 100% TRUE!! Elder W. complains a lot... He was "sick" the first few days, and complained about it constantly. He talks about home, how he wishes he could go off the grounds, how the classes are too long and boring, how he can't stay awake during anything, how the food is crappy BLA BLA BLA!!! As you can probably tell, this frustrates me greatly. In my opinion, I'm here for a reason. I'm going to have struggles and trials, but it's how I respond to them that will determine whether I'm HAPPY, or sad. I can tell you now that I am HAPPY!! I've had to pray every night that HF will help me have patience w/ E. W... I learned very quickly that there really is nothing to complain about. I'm here to learn, to teach the gospel, and have a fun time doing it. I'm going to have to beat that into him... Figuratively.

The gym is a great place. There's a lot of basketball hoops, volleyball nets, and places for four square. At the top there is a track and weight lifting machines... AND A PULL UP BAR!!!! The record for pull ups here is 29. I've made it a goal to beat that by the time I leave the MTC. OH! I forgot to tell you... my estimated departure date is the 2nd of May... 9 weeks... This is true for everyone, so I guess it's not so bad. It will be good to get into the habits of waking up every morning, praying constantly, and having numerous opportunities to teach investigators, etc..

I can say an entire prayer en espanol. The language is coming along nicely. For others it has come quicker, which is very frustrating. But i've told myself to just keep up with it, be OBEDIENT TO ALL THE RULES, and everything will fall into place.

I want you all to know that I have a testimony that this gospel is true. I've learned more these four days than I have in months of Sunday school and Priesthood. I hope all is well w/ you all... I love you, I miss you, I pray for you. I am so excited for this opportunity to serve a mission. The days have flown by, and I am having fun. :) Please take care of yourselves... Write to me quickly, AND TELL EVERYONE TO WRITE ME LETTERS!!! I LOVE LETTERS!!!

Love you all,

E. Cuthbert